Soliciting_Nomination_NJASK Science

February 24, 2015
TO:
Chief School Administrators
Charter School Lead Persons
FROM:
Jeffrey B. Hauger, Director
Office of Assessments
Division of Data, Research, Evaluation and Reporting
SUBJECT:
Soliciting Nomination for New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge
(NJ ASK) Science Advisory for Elementary and Middle School
We are asking chief school administrators and charter school lead persons to nominate members
of their district staff to serve on the NJ ASK Grades 4 and 8 Science Advisory Committees.
Nominees should have at least three years of classroom experience and hold a standard
certificate in elementary or middle school science.
The NJ ASK is going to remain in place to measure fourth- and eighth-grade students’ ability to
recall information and solve problems by applying science concepts. The science test assesses
knowledge and application skills in three clusters; each cluster contains multiple-choice items
and constructed response items.
Please note that newly selected committee members will receive appropriate training. This
training is mandatory. A separate mailing to newly selected committee members will be
forthcoming highlighting the date, time and location of this committee. The time commitment
for committee members will be approximately 10-12 days annually and will involve some
activities during the school year. All participants under contract with a district will be
reimbursed for mileage and tolls, and the participant’s district will receive a stipend for substitute
teacher costs.
Those participants not under contract with their district will receive an honorarium per day as
well as reimbursement for mileage and tolls. Professional development hours may also be
applicable. The science committee meetings will be scheduled at a central location that can be
easily accessed by major highways and will include morning and afternoon snacks as well as
lunch.
Your signature on the attached nomination form indicates your endorsement of the nominee and
a commitment to the nominee’s participation. All nominations must be received by Tuesday,
March 10, 2015. Please have your nominee complete and return the nomination form along
with a current résumé to:
John Boczany
Office of STEM
Division of Academics
PO Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-0500
Fax: 609-292-7276
If you have any questions about the science committee participation, please feel free to contact
John Boczany, science coordinator, at 609-292-5622 or john.boczany@doe.state.nj.us.
Thank you for your consideration. We hope that your district will express willingness to commit
time and human resources for this important work.
JBH/jb:sciencenomination
Attachment
Members, State Board of Education
Commissioner David C. Hespe
Bari Erlichson
Kimberley Harrington
Meghan Snow
Amy Ruck
Peggy McDonald
Lori Ramella
John Boczany
Executive County Superintendents
Executive Directors for Regional Achievement Centers
Executive County Business Officials
County Test Coordinators
District Test Coordinators
Bilingual/ESL Coordinators
Science Coordinators
Directors of Approved Public Schools for the Disabled
Directors of College-Operated Programs
Directors of a State Facility
NJ LEE Group
Garden State Coalition of Schools