New Jersey Department of Education Awards Alternate Proficiency Assessment Contract to Questar Assessment, Inc.

BREWSTER, N.Y., Jan. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Questar Assessment, Inc. (Questar), a leading educational assessment provider for states, school districts, and higher education institutions, was awarded a contract from the New Jersey Department of Education to administer the New Jersey Alternate Proficiency Assessment (APA).

The APA is a portfolio assessment for students with severe cognitive disabilities who are unable to participate in the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJASK) or the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA). In New Jersey, APA students in grades 3–8 and 11 are assessed in language arts literacy and mathematics. APA students in grades 4, 8, and high school are also assessed in science. The APA is designed to measure progress toward achieving New Jersey's educational achievement standards.

"New Jersey is highly respected for its efforts to accurately assess the achievement of all students, and to provide alternate measurements for those with cognitive disabilities," said Roy Lipner, president and chief executive officer of Questar. "By selecting Questar to provide this incredibly important service, the state of New Jersey is demonstrating its dedication to ensuring the highest level of achievement for this segment of the student population. We are honored to be their partner in this endeavor."

Questar offers extensive experience in alternate assessments. It currently conducts and scores state alternate assessment programs for Arkansas, Georgia, and Michigan, and previously provided services for this population in Ohio, Virginia, and Wyoming. Questar also supports large-scale statewide assessment programs for general student populations and English learners, and currently holds contracts in 14 states.

About Questar Assessment, Inc.
Questar Assessment, Inc., is a leading educational assessment provider for states, schools, and school districts. Headquartered in Minnesota and New York, Questar offers comprehensive custom assessment services—from large-scale statewide assessment programs to alternate, modified, and English language proficiency assessments. Questar provides complete, end-to-end services designed to address all aspects of assessment from test design, development, calibration, and psychometric services to print production, distribution, scanning, scoring, reporting, and data analysis. Questar also offers customized online testing services to schools and educational entities in the K–12 market. For further information, visit www.QuestarAI.com or call 1-800-800-2598.

SOURCE Questar Assessment, Inc.