NeSA
We are beginning the annual process of administering the Nebraska State
Accountability Assessments (NeSA) tests to our students. The assessments
are one-time, “drop-in” checks of student performance on state standards in
Math, Science, and Reading. It is important to note that not all of the state
standards are tested on the NeSA exams and that no single test score can tell
the full story of a performance of an individual student, school building, or
district. The child’s teacher will continue to be the best source of information
on how well an individual child is learning.
Results from NeSA assessments are mostly designed to provide comparative
information on a large scale for how districts stack up in Nebraska. These big
picture indicators, when viewed over time, can help districts see if
educational decisions (based on multiple sources of data) are helping to
improve student learning overall.
However, data from NeSA tests are only one source among many that Hayes
Center Schools use to inform decision-making that directly affects students.
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test results and the child’s classroom
assessment results are just as important.
Here are three suggestions that might help your child
perform well on the tests:
Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and eats a healthy
breakfast. Many studies have shown that students who don't do well on tests
haven't gotten enough sleep, and haven't eaten breakfast on the morning of
the test. Doing both of these things, will ensure that your child is working at
full capacity.
Remain positive. Talk to your child about how it important it is to do
his/her best . . . That’s all that you (and the teacher) ask. No matter the
results, just ask for maximum effort. It is important that your child take the
tests seriously but not become overly anxious about them. Try to help your
child view testing not as a threat but as an opportunity to obtain information
that can improve basic skills.
Attendance is important. Do your best to make your schedule (doctor’s
appointments, etc.) around the test. It is very difficult for children to do well
on standardized testing when they are not with their peers in the normal
classroom setting. It is also problematic for the school to find the “optimal”
time to give make-up tests.
TESTING SCHEDULE
MARCH
25th
Wednesday
8:15
9:30
Juniors
8th Grade
Science
Science
26th
Thursday
8:15
9:30
Juniors
8th Grade
Science
Science
31st
Tuesday
8:15
9:30
10:45
5th Grade
7th/8th Grade
Juniors
Science
Math
Math
APRIL
1st
Wednesday
8:15
9:30
10:45
5th Grade
7th/8th Grade
Juniors
Science
Math
Math
Wednesday
8:30
9:45
12:30
3rd/4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
Math
Math
Math
9th
Thursday
8:30
9:45
12:30
3rd/4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
Math
Math
Math
14th
Tuesday
8:30
9:45
12:30
3rd/4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
Reading
Reading
Reading
15th
Wednesday
8:30
9:45
12:30
3rd/4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
Reading
Reading
Reading
16
Thursday
9:00
7th/8th Grade
Reading
8th
17th
Friday
9:00
7th/8th Grade
Reading
20th
Monday
9:45
Juniors
Reading
21st
Tuesday
9:45
Juniors
Reading