Question:
Is there a different number for graduation other than the 4.5 like the 530 number in the MAC?
Will schools receive the results of the ACCESS sooner than the following September for placement of students or
if necessary for graduation?
Reply:
Students do not need to score at a certain level on the ACCESS to graduate. Only students who completed the
SRA in their native language need to score a 530 on the MACII. If students passed the HSPA or completed the
SRA in English they do not need to take the MACII. However, they will need to take ACCESS.
Schools will receive the results of the ACCESS test in August. Districts should use multiple measures to make
decisions about placement. Some districts double test with the IPT or MAC II for placement. It is a local district decision.
The New Jersey Department of Education will explore the possibility of an earlier testing window, thus resulting earlier
receipt of score reports.
Question:
I need clarification. I have a new eight grader starting today, being transferred from a nearby school and another new
student coming from Korea next week. Do these students take the ACCESS Proficiency test? Last year I did not test students
who enrolled late, but at a recent workshop it was mentioned that any student who enters before the end of the testing
window must be tested.
Thanks
Reply:
Yes, any student who enters during the testing window must be tested.
Question:
Here's one more question from our guidance people:
If a student has passed the HSPA ,or completed the SRA process, but does not achieve 4.5, does the student graduate?
This is assuming the student has completed all classes and requirements and earned passing grades in all English subject
area classes.
Reply:
Yes, the student graduates.
Question:
It was stated before that "New Jersey will continue to use multiple measures for exiting students.
However, there are now exit scores for ACCESS which CAN BE [my caps]used for one of the measures for exit determinations,"
I understand that the use of ACCESS scores for exiting is OPTIONAL. Am I reading this correctly?
If so, who decides the extiting criteria for each district? Is the Dept of Education planning on requiring
that a student "pass" the ACCESS test to exit?
Reply:
New Jersey operates under MULTIPLE EXIT CRITERIA. NJTESOL-NJBE worked very hard to ensure that a single exit criterion (i.e. test)
did not determine whether a child received services. The ACCESS score is one of the criteria used to determine the ability of the
child and to decide whether he/she is ready to succeed in the general education program. If the child has achieved the 4.5 proficiency
level but the teacher feels the child still requires services, then the other criteria (standardized test scores, grades, and teacher
recommendation) should indicate that the child still requires services.
Each district has submitted a three year plan which explicates the exiting criteria that will be used in that district.
Consult the person who completed the plan to find out what your district had submitted.
You can contact Lori Ramella
if you need further clarification. lori.ramella@doe.state.nj.us
