On Wednesday, April 29, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) announced three education engagement opportunities for educators, school leaders, and district staff who work directly with students. The opportunities focus on special education, preschool and assessments and allow participants to share feedback on current processes and services to help inform future standards that support an inclusive and comprehensive education system for all New Jersey students.
Additional details on each opportunity are provided below:
Special Education
The NJDOE is seeking members for the New Jersey State Special Education Advisory Council (NJ-SSEAC) beginning in the fall of 2026. The NJ-SSEAC provides guidance on special education and related services provided in the state to the Commissioner of Education. Appointments are for a two-year term and are renewable for additional terms.
More information on the NJ-SSEAC, including membership qualifications, the application form, and contact information, can be found in NJDOE’s April 29 broadcast memo. The deadline to apply is May 15, 2026.
Preschool
The Division of Early Childhood Services is developing a guidance document that will outline learning expectations for three- and four-year-olds. To support the development of comprehensive guidance, the Division of Early Childhood Services seeks to establish a highly qualified and diverse group of volunteers representing a broad range of stakeholders. A self-nomination process will be used to identify educators and other qualified stakeholders to serve on the development team.
More information on the guidance development process, including required qualifications, the participation form, and contact information, can be found in NJDOE’s April 29 broadcast memo. The deadline to submit the participation form is May 8, 2026.
Assessments
The NJDOE is seeking nominations for educators to serve on English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics Content Development and Review Committees for the state’s adaptive assessments (New Jersey Student Learning Assessments-Adaptive (NJSLA-A), and New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment-Adaptive (NJGPA-A)). The purpose of the committees is to involve qualified, diverse educators in reviewing, developing, and setting standards for assessment items to ensure the quality, fairness, and alignment of New Jersey’s statewide testing program.
More information on the committees, including candidate considerations, the application form, and contact information, can be found in NJDOE’s April 29 broadcast memo. The deadline to apply is May 13, 2026.
