» Assessment & Evaluation Home «
New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK)
Performance Level Descriptors
Language Arts Literacy
Grade 3
Proficient
A third-grade student performing at the proficient level demonstrates the ability to construct meaning as s/he generates texts and works with text generated by others. The student demonstrates the ability to comprehend text literally, to make inferences, and to express understanding of the text in written responses. As a proficient reader, the student recognizes the central idea, supporting details, purpose, and organization of text. The proficient student can use text to form opinions and draw conclusions.
The proficient third-grade student develops a single focus, supporting details, and an organizational structure in his/her writing. The student establishes and sustains a purpose for writing and elaborates on information as s/he develops the text. The student provides support for opinions and conclusions, and uses conventions of print in his/her writing
Advanced Proficient
In addition to consistently demonstrating the skills outlined for the proficient student, the advanced proficient reader demonstrates the ability to synthesize, analyze, and extend the meaning of the text. In addition, the advanced proficient reader interacts with the text and makes connections in order to generate new ideas.
As an advanced proficient writer, the student establishes and develops a central focus, organizes and connects ideas, and elaborates on supporting details coherently. Students at this level are able to vary sentence structures, choose words effectively, and consistently use conventions of print. S/he may take compositional risks.