District Assessment Program
ETSD Assessment Program
In order to provide a well-balanced view of students' individual growth, the district uses multiple measures to assess student progress toward specific learning goals, analyze student areas of strength and challenge, and make powerful teaching decisions.
To this end, teachers use a variety of formal and informal assessment techniques on a continuous basis. This ongoing authentic assessment provides a comprehensive portrait of a student's academic development. Teachers use this assessment data to determine their students' overall performance during the course of a marking period, which translates into a grade (or stage of development in the primary grades).
Developmental Progress Reports/Report Cards and Parent Teacher Conferences are the main vehicles used to formally document progress made throughout the school year. Additional informal parent-teacher communication occurs throughout the school year on a regular basis. The full district assessment program can be viewed here, which includes general assessment tools and strategies, district-wide assessments and standardized assessments.
To view the 2026-2027 Standardized Assessment Schedule, click here. Use the tabs below for more information on trimester/report card dates, quint dates for middle school, and individual standardized assessments. The NJDOE also has information on the various required state assessments at NJ Department of Education Assessment and Evaluation.
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2026-2027 School Year
First Trimester: September 2, 2026 – December 4, 2026
Second Trimester: December 7, 2026 – March 15, 2027
Third Trimester: March 16, 2027 – June 17*, 2027
*Date subject to change if make-up days need to be added to the end of the school year. Final report cards are posted the day prior to the last day of school, which is currently scheduled for June 17, 2027 -
Quint Dates for Middle School Related Arts
*Date subject to change if make-up days need to be added to the end of the school year. Final report cards are posted the day prior to the last day of school, which is currently scheduled for June 17, 2027 -
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent and teacher communication is ongoing throughout the school year and may take various forms such as written notes/emails and phone calls. While informal communication should be occurring on a regular basis, opportunities for more formal Parent-Teacher Conferences occurs twice annually. Fall conferences are a great opportunity to dialogue about progress in the first trimester and all parents/guardians are encouraged to meet with teachers. At the elementary level, the Genesis Parent Portal is utilized for scheduling. At middle school, team meetings are set up directly with parents/guardians. Late winter/spring conferences are optional and will be set-up based on need and/or interest. Below are conference dates for the 2026-2027 school year:
November 2, 3, & 4March 4 & 5
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The NJSLA- Adaptive ELA & Math assessments were developed to measure student achievement in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. These assessments are based on the learning standards contained in the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) for grades 3-8. These state mandated 21st Century assessments are computer-based to make use of innovative technology. The NJSLA-Adaptive ELA & Math test is administered annually during the morning session anywhere from three to five days depending on grade level. Click here for a previous spring parent presentation that details typical assessment components, time frames, and student/parent resources.
Individual Student Reports (ISR) are published annually, typically in the fall. See links below for web resources to assist parents with understanding these state reports or visit the state portal:
Additional parent resources for NJSLA:
Please Note: The spring of 2025 was the last year of administration for this specific assessment, NJSLA ELA & Math. In spring of 2026, a new adaptive NJSLA-Adaptive ELA & Math was administered. This assessment followed similar timeframes in the spring and was scheduled for all grade 3-8 students in May. A required field test will be given to all students in grades 4-8 in the fall of 2025. State trainings on the assessment was scheduled in September and early October.
Standardized assessments are an additional tool used to measure students' level of performance. Accommodations and/or accessibility options are specific to each assessment and available to students based on individual need. Testing modifications are also identified in student 504 plans and IEPs. Parents can contact their case manager, 504 plan coordinator or school counselor for additional information.
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The New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) for Science is a state-mandated annual assessment administered to all students in grades 5 & 8. Assessments are designed to evaluate student proficiency in meeting the NJ Student Learning Standards in the area of Science. This assessment is administered annually, typically in May, during the morning session on two school days. A Parent, Student, and Teacher Information Guide is typically distributed in order to provide additional information, along with sample questions and answers. ISRs are generally published annually in the fall.
Standardized assessments are an additional tool used to measure students' level of performance. Accommodations and/or accessibility options are specific to each assessment and available to students based on individual need. Testing modifications are also identified in student 504 plans and IEPs. Parents can contact their case manager, 504 plan coordinator or school counselor for additional information.
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The Cognitive Abilities Tests are nationally-normed assessments administered in grades 3, 5, and 7 annually in March. These tests measure student aptitude in areas of verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning. This assessment is administered during the morning session on two school days.
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The SAGES-2 (Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary and Middle School Students-Second Edition) is a group-administered assessment used to identify students who should be formally screened for eligibility in the district's Tier III Gifted and Talented program. This assessment is administered to all sixth grade students in the fall, typically November, and all second grade students in the winter after the new year. The SAGES-2 consists of three subtests given over 2-3 days depending on grade level: Mathematics/Science, Language Arts/Social Studies, and Reasoning. The items on the subtests are presented in either a multiple choice or analogy format.