New Hampshire Statewide Assessment System
In September 2017, the New Hampshire Department of Education announced that the American Institutes for Research (AIR) had been approved as the statewide assessment vendor for English language arts and mathematics in grades 3–8, and science in grades 5, 8, and 11.
Since that time, the New Hampshire Statewide Assessment System (NH SAS) has served as the official assessment for English language arts/writing and mathematics. These computer-adaptive tests are aligned to the NH Academic Standards and are designed to reflect the state’s educational priorities. The assessments are administered each spring to students in grades 3 through 8.
The NH SAS for science, aligned to the NH Academic Standards for Science, is administered each spring to students in grades 5 and 8 and provides a consistent measure of science understanding across the state.
More information can be found at https://nh.portal.
Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills
The Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) 8th Edition is a research-based screening and progress-monitoring tool used to assess the acquisition of foundational reading skills from kindergarten through sixth grade. Grounded in the Science of Reading, DIBELS 8 evaluates the key components of early literacy, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
DIBELS 8 consists of brief, one-minute measures that allow educators to efficiently and effectively monitor student growth throughout the school year. These assessments are designed to identify students who may be at risk for reading difficulties and to inform timely and targeted instruction.
DIBELS benchmark goals are empirically derived indicators of adequate reading progress. Students meeting or exceeding benchmark goals are considered on track for future reading success, while students below benchmark may require additional or intensified support to close skill gaps and build proficiency.
In accordance with New Hampshire state law (RSA 200:59 and RSA 200:59-c), DIBELS 8 is used as part of the district’s early literacy screening process to identify characteristics of dyslexia and other reading-related difficulties. This ensures that all students receive appropriate screening and that interventions are aligned with the requirements of NH RSA and the principles of the Science of Reading.
