NSCAS Overview

The Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS) pronounced “en-skass” is a balanced statewide assessment system that uses formative, interim, and summative assessments to provide meaningful insights into student learning and progress toward readiness for postsecondary education, careers, and civic life. It uses multiple measures throughout the year, including formative, interim, and summative assessments, to provide educator and decision makers at all levels with meaning insights into student learning and progress. Aligned to Nebraska’s standards and summative blueprints, NSCAS summative assessments use an item-adaptive model for English language arts (ELA) and mathematics and a fixed-form model for science, with results reported as scale scores and achievement levels (e.g., developing, on track, advanced). To meet federal and state requirements, summative assessments cover ELA and mathematics in grades 3-8 and science in grades 5 and 8; alternate assessment cover ELA and math in grades 3-8 and 11, and science in grades 5, 8, and 11.

NSCAS Summative Assessment Resources

• NWEA Technology Guidance