New Jersey's state writing assessment, rubric by rubric
NJSLA (New Jersey Student Learning Assessment) is the state's annual summative assessment program in English Language Arts and mathematics. The ELA writing portion uses prose constructed response (PCR) items across three task types, the Narrative Task (NT), the Research Simulation Task (RST), and the Literary Analysis Task (LAT).
NJSLA uses analytic rubrics with two scored constructs. The Narrative Task scores Written Expression and Knowledge of Language and Conventions. The Research Simulation Task and Literary Analysis Task share a single rubric per grade band that scores Reading Comprehension and Written Expression together as one construct, alongside Knowledge of Language and Conventions.
Grade 3 uses a tighter 0 to 3 scale on both constructs across all task types. Starting at Grades 4-5, the Written Expression construct (and the Reading Comprehension and Written Expression construct on RST/LAT) expands to a 0 to 4 scale. The Grades 6-11 NT rubric adds a style criterion. Knowledge of Language and Conventions stays on a 0 to 3 scale across all grades and tasks.
The six New Jersey NJSLA writing rubrics
Each NJSLA rubric scores writing on two constructs, Written Expression (or Reading Comprehension and Written Expression on RST/LAT) and Knowledge of Language and Conventions. Grade 3 uses a 0 to 3 scale on both constructs. Grades 4 through 11 expand Written Expression to a 0 to 4 scale while Conventions stays at 0 to 3.
Students write an elicited narrative story in response to a prompt. Scored on Written Expression (0 to 3) and Knowledge of Language and Conventions (0 to 3). The reading dimension is not scored for narrative tasks.
Students write an elicited narrative story in response to a prompt. Scored on Written Expression (0 to 3) and Knowledge of Language and Conventions (0 to 3). The reading dimension is not scored for narrative tasks.
Students write an elicited narrative story in response to a prompt. Scored on Written Expression (0 to 4, which adds style) and Knowledge of Language and Conventions (0 to 3). Narrative elements expand to include context, point of view, and event models at higher grades.
Text-based analytical writing for the Research Simulation Task (RST) and Literary Analysis Task (LAT). Scored on Reading Comprehension and Written Expression (0 to 3) and Knowledge of Language and Conventions (0 to 3).
Text-based analytical writing for the Research Simulation Task (RST) and Literary Analysis Task (LAT). Scored on Reading Comprehension and Written Expression (0 to 4) and Knowledge of Language and Conventions (0 to 3).
Text-based analytical writing for the Research Simulation Task (RST) and Literary Analysis Task (LAT). Scored on Reading Comprehension and Written Expression (0 to 4, which adds style) and Knowledge of Language and Conventions (0 to 3).
How NJSLA scores writing
Every NJSLA writing rubric scores responses on two analytic constructs. The first construct (Written Expression on the Narrative Task, or Reading Comprehension and Written Expression on RST/LAT) is the heavier of the two and carries the development, organization, and language-clarity descriptors. The second construct (Knowledge of Language and Conventions) is scored on a 0 to 3 scale across every grade band and task type.
Scored 0 to 3 at Grade 3 and Grades 4-5, and 0 to 4 at Grades 6-11. Covers development with narrative elements, organization and coherence, and language used to clarify ideas. The 0 to 4 scale at Grades 6-11 adds an explicit style criterion (effective, mostly effective, somewhat effective, limited, inappropriate). The reading dimension is not scored for elicited narrative stories.
Scored 0 to 3 at Grade 3 and 0 to 4 at Grades 4-11. Combines comprehension of source ideas (stated explicitly and inferentially at Grades 6-11) with development of a claim or topic, organization, and language clarity. Reasoning supported by relevant text-based evidence is required at every score point above 0.
Scored 0 to 3 across every grade band and task. Covers mechanics, grammar, and usage at an appropriate level of complexity for the grade. A 3 means a few minor errors but meaning is clear. A 0 means frequent and varied errors that impede understanding. Note that the Grades 6-11 Narrative Task rubric leaves the Score Point 4 column blank for Conventions; the top score on this construct is 3 regardless of which Written Expression score the response receives.
Common questions about New Jersey NJSLA writing
What is the NJSLA writing rubric?
How many points is each NJSLA rubric worth?
Is the reading dimension scored on the Narrative Task?
Do RST and LAT use the same rubric?
What changes between the Grade 3 and Grades 6-11 Narrative rubrics?
Is this rubric the official version from NJDOE?
Where can I find the source documents?
Does EnlightenAI auto-score with these rubrics?
Score New Jersey NJSLA writing in EnlightenAI
Train EnlightenAI on any of the six official NJSLA writing rubrics and start scoring student writing, with consistent per-construct feedback, in a single class period.