State and Federal Assessments

October 13, 2025

State and Federal Required Assessments at Hayes Center Public Schools

At Hayes Center Public Schools, we are committed to providing each student with a high-quality education aligned to Nebraska’s content standards. As part of that commitment, our students participate in several state and federally required assessments each year. These assessments help teachers, administrators, and families understand student learning progress, guide instruction, and meet accountability requirements.

Below is an overview of the assessments administered at Hayes Center Public Schools, including the subject areas tested, the purpose of each assessment, the time required, when testing occurs, and how results are shared.

Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS) – General

• Subjects Assessed:

  • English Language Arts (Grades 3–8)

  • Mathematics (Grades 3–8)

  • Science (Grades 5 & 8)

• Purpose:
  The NSCAS General assessment measures student performance on Nebraska’s academic content standards. The results help educators identify strengths and areas for growth, inform classroom instruction, and fulfill accountability requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

• Time Spent Testing:
  Approximately 4–6 hours total per subject area (spread over multiple sessions).

• Testing Schedule:
  Administered each spring during the state’s testing window.

• Results to Parents:
  Individual student results are mailed home to parents/guardians when received from the Nebraska Department of Education.

• Source of Requirement:
  Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

NSCAS ACT

• Subjects Assessed:
  English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and Writing (Grade 11)

• Purpose:
  The NSCAS ACT serves as Nebraska’s statewide accountability test for 11th-grade students. It provides valuable information about college and career readiness and gives students an official ACT score that may be used for college admission and scholarships.

• Time Spent Testing:
  Approximately 4–5 hours total.

• Testing Schedule:
  Administered each spring on the designated ACT state testing date.

• Results to Parents:
  Students receive results directly from ACT via their online ACT accounts and mailed score reports.

• Source of Requirement:
  Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21)

• Subjects Assessed:
  English language proficiency in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking for English Learners in Grades K–12.

• Purpose:
  ELPA21 measures students’ progress toward meeting Nebraska’s English Language Proficiency Standards. The results help determine appropriate instructional supports and when students are ready to exit English Learner services.

• Time Spent Testing:
  Approximately 2–3 hours total, depending on grade level and language proficiency.

• Testing Schedule:
  Administered each February.

• Results to Parents:
  Individual student reports are mailed home when received from the Nebraska Department of Education.

• Source of Requirement:
  Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

• Subjects Assessed:
  Varies by year (commonly Reading and Mathematics) – selected grades and schools.

• Purpose:
  NAEP, also known as The Nation’s Report Card, provides a common national measure of student achievement. Results are used to compare performance across states and the nation; they are reported for groups of students, not individuals.

• Time Spent Testing:
  Approximately 90 minutes total.

• Testing Schedule:
  Conducted when selected by the federal government. Testing occurs during the designated NAEP window when representatives visit the school.

• Results to Parents:
  Results are not reported for individual students; national and state results are publicly available through the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

• Source of Requirement:
  U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Why These Assessments Matter

These assessments are one of many tools we use to support student learning. They help us:

• Measure student progress toward state standards

• Identify areas for academic support and enrichment

• Inform curriculum and instruction

• Ensure accountability at the local, state, and federal levels

If you have questions about our assessment program, please contact:

Hayes Center Public Schools
501 Troth Street • Hayes Center, NE 69032
📞 (308) 286-5600
📧 msoundy@hccardinals.org