NSCAS Overview
The Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS), pronounced “en-skass,” is a new statewide assessment system that embodies Nebraska’s holistic view of students and helps them prepare for success in postsecondary education, career, and civic life. It uses multiple measures throughout the year to provide educators and decision makers at all levels with the insights they need to support student learning.
NSCAS Summative Assessment Administration
NSCAS General Summative Assessments
NSCAS-English Language Arts
- Grades 3-8
NSCAS-Mathematics
- Grade 3-8
NSCAS-Science
- Grades 5 & 8
ACT
- High School*
NSCAS Alternate Summative Assessments
NSCAS-AA-English Language Arts
- Grades 3-8, High School*
NSCAS-AA-Mathematics
- Grade 3-8, High School*
NSCAS-AA-Science
- Grades 5 & 8, High School*
ELPA21
- K-12 English Learners
*Note: Students who are in their third year of cohort at the high school level will participate in the college entrance exam-the ACT, or in the NSCAS- Alternate Assessments
NSCAS Summative Assessment Resources
NSCAS Documents
NSCAS Accessibility Manual – Updated 7.24.24
– Accessibility Tools 1-3 short form – Updated 7.24.24
*Accommodations list included
Assessment/Learning/Instruction – Nebraska Department of Education
2024-2025 Schedule Guidance for NSCAS Growth and NSCAS Science – Updated 7.30.24
Suggestions for Smooth Testing Process
NSCAS Growth Retest Guidelines
NSCAS Test Administration Orientation 2024-2025 (PowerPoint) – Posted 7.22.24
NSCAS Test Administration Orientation 2024-2025 (PowerPoint PDF) – Posted 7.22.24
Emergency Medical Waiver Form for NSCAS, ACT, ELPA 21– Updated 7.19.23 – Please fax to our office 402.742.2319
NSCAS Security Procedures
NSCAS Assessment Security Manual – Updated 7.24.24
NSCAS Security Procedures – Updated 8.1.24
NSCAS Growth Test Administration Training – Updated 8.1.24
NSCAS Observation Checklist– Updated 2.23.24
Testing Irregularity
Report of Testing Irregularity Form – Updated 07.19.23
Confidentiality Agreements
Sample District Security Policy
Building Principal Security Agreement – Updated 7.30.24
DAC Confidentiality Agreement – Updated 7.30.24
District and School Staff Security Agreement Template – Posted 8.19.24
Test Development Confidentiality Agreement
2024-2025 Guidance for Assessment Performance & Participation Calculations – Posted 08.15.24
2024-2025 NSCAS Growth EL Status Guidance – Posted 07.30.24
2024-2025 ELPA & NSCAS Not Tested Codes Guidelines V1.0 – Posted 8.28.24
NSCAS Alternate NOR Code Guidance
2023-2024 NSCAS Roster Review Process
2023-2024 NSCAS ACT Irregularity-Prohibited Behavior Log Template
Go to the ADVISER Data Guidance tab of the ADVISER Resources page for the latest version of the following guidelines:
- ADVISER Data Elements
- Who Reports What
- Systems Involved Student Report
2024 Assessment Roadshow
Assessment Roadshow Dates
- Sept. 9, 2024- Scottsbluff, ESU #13
- Sept. 19, 2024- Auburn, ESU #4
- Sept. 23, 2024- Kearney, Archway Monument
- Sept. 24, 2024- Norfolk, Lifelong Learning Center
- Oct. 8, 2024- Lincoln/Omaha, SAC Museum (9:00 am -12:00 pm)
2024 Administrators’ Day
Assessment 2024-2025 PowerPoint
2023 Assessment Presentations
Assessment Roadshow PowerPoint
Family Communication
ISR Family Letter 2024-2025 (pdf)
ISR Family Letter 2024-2025 (doc)
ISR Family Letter 2024-2025 Spanish (pdf)
ISR Family Letter 2024-2025 Spanish (doc)
ACT
NSCAS ACT Family Letter – (Give to students after testing)
NSCAS ACT Family Letter – Spanish – (Give to students after testing)
2022-2023 SAA Update Updated 3.16.23
SAA Update 22 – Posted 2.22.21
SAA Update 21 – Updated 2.11.20
SAA Update 20 – January 2018
2016 RFP
Attachment A–RFP NDE.GA.ASMT.2016, 86 pages
Attachment B consists of the following portions of the DRC bid proposal
The signed RFP bidder form (first page of the RFP), 1 page
Completed Bidder Contract Sheet (page 75 of the RFP), 1 page
Initialed Part III Terms and Conditions (pages 10 through 28 of the RFP), 18 pages
Section 4 (Technical Approach) of the DRC technical proposal dated February 1, 2017, 286 pages
Memo for NeSA ELA Peer Review Support, dated April 28, 2017, 2 pages
Memo for Development of Mathematics Achievement Level Descriptors, dated August 8, 2017, 6 pages
Memo for Development of Science Indicators, dated September 21, 2017, 2 pages
Attachment C Statement of Work-Nebraska Alternate Assessment
Attachment D consists of the following portions of the NWEA bid proposal
The signed RFP bidder form (second page of the RFP), 1 page
Completed Bidder Contract Sheet (page 6 of the RFP), 1 page
Cost Proposal of the NWEA proposal dated February 1, 2017
Technical Proposal of the NWEA proposal dated February 1, 2017,
Section 4 (Technical Approach) of the NWEA technical proposal dated February 1, 2017, 345 pages