The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) broadcast a memo to state education officials on March 18 about the spring 2019 administration of the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) for English language arts (ELA) and mathematics.
In the memo, the NJDOE said it will not require districts to administer end-of-course statewide assessments in ELA and math to students in the 11th grade. The memo reiterated what the NJDOE said last month. The testing schedule for other grades will proceed as originally planned, the memo said.
A recent court order provided a clear path for students in the Classes of 2019 and 2020 to meet New Jersey’s graduation test requirements. Students from the Classes of 2019 and 2020 can meet graduation requirements in ELA and math through any of the three following pathways:
- Achieve passing scores on high school level NJSLA/PARCC assessments; or
- Achieve scores defined in the graduation assessment requirements chart (linked above) on alternative assessments such as the SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER; or
- Submit, through the district, a student portfolio appeal to the NJDOE.
For future classes, the memo said the NJDOE will continue to work in “a thoughtful yet expeditious manner” to develop and explain new graduation requirements.
The NJSBA continues to monitor the situation and will report new developments to its members.