Nevada’s system for assessing students, the Nevada Proficiency Examination Program (NPEP), consists of different tests taken by public and charter school students in specific grades and programs. The NPEP includes the following assessments:

• High School Proficiency Examination (HSPE) in Reading and Mathematics in grades 10, 11, 12, and Adult, and Writing in grades 11, 12, and Adult. In order to receive a standard high school diploma, students must pass all portions of the Nevada High School Proficiency Examinations and meet all other district and state requirements.
• Writing Assessments in grades 4 and 8
• Norm-Referenced Tests (NRT): Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) in grades 4 and 7 and Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED) in grade 10
• Criterion-Referenced Tests (CRT) in Reading and Mathematics in grades 3-8 1 and Science in grades 5 and 8
• The Skills and Competencies Alternative Assessment of Nevada (SCAAN), (manual and electronic format) in grades 3-8 and grade 10
• Language Assessment Scales (LAS) in grades 2-12
• Pre-Language Assessment Scales (Pre-LAS) in grades K-1

Merit’s language arts and math software programs correlate to Nevada’s Academic Standards and can help students prepare for the NPEP. The content and format of Merit’s programs can help students develop and strengthen their test-taking skills as well as their reading, writing and math skills.

Merit reading software has been proven -- through rigorous, scientifically based research -- to increase both student reading comprehension and standardized test scores. Merit research study findings reveal that education software is an effective tool to improve test scores and academic performance.



Published: May 2005