The Northern Valley Criterion-Referenced Tests are developed by committees of teachers from schools in the Valley. The tests, which provide useful program planning information, are a viable measure of inter-district commitment and cooperation in order to achieve a sequential and articulated curriculum among the elementary and secondary schools in the region. The testing program is supported by the Northern Valley Schools Consortium and local boards of education in the region.
CDW students in grades 5-7 took the Criterion-Referenced Test on Wednesday, May 31st, which will provide specific information about a student's understanding of math content according to their grade levels.
For Current Grade 5 Students:
All Grade 5 students will take the Grade 5 Criterion-Referenced Test, as explained above. This test offers us a gauge of student performance. For students who perform extraordinarily well on this test, earning a score of 95% or higher, they will be asked to sit for a secondary assessment. Families of these identified students will be notified. The purpose of a secondary assessment would be to ascertain the selected students' potential success in skipping Grade 6 Math and moving directly into accelerated Pre-Algebra as a sixth grader. You will be notified by July 1st if your child is eligible to make this Grade 6 Math skip.
To be eligible for this Grade 6 course skip, the students would have to:
- Earn a score of 95% or higher on the Grade 5 Criterion-Referenced Test, as stated directly above
- Earn a score of 90% or higher on the secondary math placement test, as explained above
- Earn a minimum average of 95% or higher for each marking period in Grade 5 Math
- Earn teacher recommendation, based on class performance, work ethic, motivation, ability to work independently, and participation
- Earn a 796 or higher on the NJSLA-Math Grade 4 Assessment
For Current Grade 6 Students:
In Grade 7, we offer two courses of study: Pre-Algebra, which is an accelerated course, and Grade 7 Math, which is an average-level course. Prior to placing students into either Pre-Algebra or Grade 7 Math, the following criteria are considered:
- Teacher recommendation, based on class performance, work ethic, motivation, ability to work independently, and participation
- Criterion-Referenced Test Score (math placement test) of 85% or higher - see test explanation above
- Year-end math average of 93% or higher
- Earn a 775 or higher on the NJSLA-Math Grade 5 Assessment
Notification of course placement will be communicated to all families by July 1st.
For Current Grade 7 Students:
We use the Criterion-Referenced Test to assess students' current placement and to determine if movement into Algebra I is appropriate in Grade 8. Families of these identified students would be notified by June 1st. The purpose of a secondary assessment would be to ascertain the selected students' potential success in skipping accelerated Grade 7 Pre-Algebra and moving directly into Algebra I as an eighth grader. You will be notified by July 1st if your child is eligible to make this accelerated Grade 7 Pre-Algebra skip.
To be eligible for this accelerated Pre-algebra course skip, the students would have to:
- Earn a score of 95% or higher on the Grade 7 Criterion-Referenced Test
- Earn a score of 90% or higher on the secondary math placement test
- Earn a minimum average of 95% or higher for each marking period in Grade 7 Math
- Earn teacher recommendation, based on class performance, work ethic, motivation, ability to work independently, and participation
- Earn a 775 or higher on the NJSLA-Math Grade 6 Assessment
