Literacy and Mathematics in Grade 3

Grade 3 students participate in provincial assessments in literacy and mathematics in May. The assessment results provide insight into how students are performing in relation to curriculum expectations in reading, writing, and mathematics. 

Nova Scotia teachers work with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) to develop these assessments. All items and texts on the assessment are based on the Nova Scotia curriculum. Teachers also help score student responses and set expectations. These expectations describe what students should know and be able to do independently at the time of the assessment.

Who participates in the assessment? 

• Students in English-language programs participate in Literacy and Mathematics in English. 
• Students in French Immersion programs complete only the mathématiques portion of the assessment in French, since formal instruction in English language arts starts in Grade 3. 
• Students in the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial participate in Littératie et mathématiques in French. They do not participate in the English assessment.
• A student with an Individual Program Plan (IPP) may participate if agreed upon by their student planning team, which includes parents and guardians.

How is the information from the assessment used?

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• Families will receive their child’s performance report in the fall.
• Teachers use the results, alongside classroom assessment, to plan instruction and support student learning.
• Schools, regional centres for education, and the province use the results to inform decisions and provide support where needed.
• Results are not used to determine report card grades or grade level placement decisions.
   

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The assessment is administered at school by classroom teachers. Most adaptations (such as extra time or read-aloud) can be used. 

It is administered over multiple days. Schools will choose the exact days within the assessment window for students to complete all parts. 

• The Literacy portion of the assessment consists of four parts, each about 45 minutes. Students will read different types of texts (narrative, informational, poetry, and visual) and answer questions about them. They will also complete two writing activities. Extra time is available if needed. 
• The Mathematics portion of the assessment consists of four parts, each about 30 minutes. Students will answer questions about different math topics: number, patterns and relations, measurement, geometry, and statistics. Extra time is available if needed.

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To help students become comfortable with the assessment and the format of questions, they will complete short sample assessments in class. 

The sample assessments are also available for educators at the following link: Sample questions (GNSPES teacher login required).

Students do not need to study or prepare in advance. The learning they have done throughout their years in school prepares them for the assessment.

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Will the school send home any information about the assessment?

Schools will send home the Information Sheet for Parents and Families in the weeks before the assessment. 

How can I help my child prepare? 

What your child has learned in school will prepare them; no special preparation is needed. It is important they feel rested and relaxed to do their best. This assessment will not affect your child’s grades.

Will my child have access to the adaptations they use in class?

Most adaptations can be used during the assessment. For more information, talk to your child's teacher.  

If my child has an Individual Program Plan (IPP) in language arts or mathematics, will they participate in the assessment?

A student with an Individual Program Plan may participate if agreed upon by their student planning team, which includes parents and guardians.

If my child is learning English as an Additional Language, will they participate in the assessment?

Students who are learning English will usually take the assessment. They can use a translator or a bilingual dictionary to translate a few words at a time, and can have extra time to finish. A student may be exempted from the assessment if the assessment is not suitable for their current English level.

How will I know how my child performed?

After the assessment is complete, the writing tasks are scored by Nova Scotia teachers during a session led by provincial education staff. Multiple-choice questions are scored by computer. Results are analyzed and an Individual Student Report is created for each student and will be available to families through PowerSchool. For more information about student reports, please see Information about Student Reports for Parents and Guardians.

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Preparing for the assessment

Image	Key Dates and Resources One-page reference sheet
Image	Overview Technical description with curriculum connections and types of questions
Image	Handbook Detailed information about administering the assessment
Image	Alternate Formats Information about alternate formats and read-aloud  Alternate Format Request Form Registration for the Nova Scotia Assessment Read-Aloud platform
Image	Sample Assessments Instructions for Teachers Resources to support students in working through sample assessments  (GNSPES teacher login required)

Interpreting results

Image	Sample Student Reports Reading and Writing Mathematics
Image	Performance Levels Reading  Writing  Mathematics
Image	Rubrics Analytic Writing Rubric Analytic Writing Rubric: Training Notes
Image	Curriculum Connections Literacy in Grade 3 Lessons Learned: a teaching resource based on data from previous assessments Mathematics in Grade 3 Lessons Learned: a teaching resource based on data from previous assessments Mathematics: Cognitive Levels of Questions and Sample Questions Primary–Grade 12
Image	Request for the Re-scoring of a Nova Scotia Assessment Request form

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