NeSA-Nebraska State Accountability
NeSA – Nebraska State Accountability
The Nebraska State Accountability (NeSA) is a system of tests in reading, math, science, and writing. The reading and math tests are administered to students in grades 3-8 and 11. The science test is administered to students in grades 5, 8 and 11, and the writing test is administered online to students in grades 8 and 11. These tests are given once each school year and are used to determine a student’s proficiency on the state academic standards, and the school’s performance on these tests are compared to the performance of similar schools across the state of Nebraska.
The South Sioux City Community Schools is in a period of transition from a system of tests developed locally by the school district to the more rigorous NeSA tests developed by the state of Nebraska. This period of transition involves a comprehensive review of our curriculum and of the programs that support teaching and learning. We are reviewing and aligning our curriculum to state and national standards, we are working to ensure students are on grade level in reading, writing, and math by the time they leave third grade, and we are restructuring course offerings at the high school to ensure all students are challenged at higher levels of learning.
Over the course of the next several weeks beginning March 26th and running through the last week in April, students across our district will take the NeSA tests in reading, math, and science. Our students took the NeSA-writing test in February. The results of these tests place students at one of three performance levels: Below Standards, Meets Standards, and Exceeds Standards. Students should perform at the levels of “Meets Standards” and “Exceeds Standards” to be deemed successful on the NeSA tests.
Parents can play a very important role in supporting their child’s preparation for the NeSA tests. Powerful measures a parent can take to support their child includes:
- Encouraging your child to actively participate in classroom activities throughout the school year.
- Establishing frequent opportunities to visit with the classroom teacher for progress on your child’s mastery of state academic standards.
- Encouraging your child to do their very best work on all tests.
- Examining all test reports shared by the school.
- Determining your child’s areas of strength and weakness and visit with the school about their response to your child’s performance.
Why should we worry about the NeSA tests? is often a question parents ask the schools. Your child’s performance on NeSA is just one piece of information each school utilizes to make decisions about your child’s educational experience. These tests can help by providing information on your child’s knowledge related to state standards, and these tests arm teachers with information to make instructional decisions. How schools intervene with your child, how the school responds to the needs of your child, and how the school helps to prepare your child for college or career is impacted by your child’s performance on the NeSA tests. We need our parents to support and encourage their child to do well on NeSA tests.
