State Board of Education Adopts Graduation Assessment Cut Scores; JROTC Certification Changes 

At its August 5, 2026 meeting, the State Board of Education (SBOE) took several actions relevant to boards of education, including the adoption of cut scores for the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment-Adaptive (NJGPA-A) and changes to its military science certification endorsement rules. A full summary of the meeting follows below. 

September SBOE Meeting Rescheduled 

The SBOE reminded the public that its September meeting – and the “open topic” public testimony session that will follow that meeting – originally scheduled for September 2 was rescheduled for September 9. Additional information on public testimony may be found on the SBOE’s webpage.  

NJGPA-A Cut Score Adoption; Class of 2027 Graduation Assessment Requirements 

The NJDOE provided an overview of the NJGPA-A, with a focus on updates the test makes to previous graduation assessment programs, field testing, and the standard setting process, which involves determining the cut points that separate scores into performance levels. Based on that standard setting process, the NJDOE recommended, and the SBOE adopted, graduation-ready cut scores for the NJGPA-A. For both ELA and math, the NJGPA-A has a scale score of 300 to 650, with a graduation-ready scale score of 450. The Department also provided an overview of all graduation assessment requirement pathways available to the class of 2027. For additional information, please see the NJDOE’s August 5 broadcast memo and the NJSBA’s Aug 11 School Board Notes article NJDOE Provides Spring 2026 Graduation Assessment Updates: Cut Scores, Results Timeline, Reporting Requirements. 

Military Science Certification Amendments Adopted 

The SBOE adopted amendments at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-11.8 to delete the requirement for a candidate to document 20 years of military experience to qualify for a standard instructional certificate with a military science endorsement. The amendments came as a result of a petition for rulemaking. The petitioner had requested that only the existing requirement to remain would be for a candidate to hold a valid certification authorizing employment as a military science instructor from the branch of service in which the candidate served. The military science endorsement allows holders to teach military science in all public schools in New Jersey. The NJSBA supported the rulemaking.   

Report of Student Representative 

The SBOE’s student representative, Emilia Reynolds, gave her monthly report. The report provided an overview on the NJ Association of Student Council (NJASC)’s 2026 Leadership Training Conference (LTC). For additional information on LTC, please see the NJASC’s LTC webpage.  

Petition for Rulemaking Denied 

The SBOE denied a petition for rulemaking. The petitioner requested the State Board to adopt new rules at N.J.A.C. 6A:9A to restore the rules as they existed at N.J.A.C. 6A:9A-5.6  prior to being readopted with amendments in 2023. The former section governed, in part, CE educator preparation programs for documented areas of teacher shortage. The 2023 amendments revised the section to reflect “the intent of the specialized programs, which were designed for certified teachers to gain content knowledge in high-need subject areas and not new teachers seeking a CE through the existing pathway” according to the SBOE’s notice of receipt. 

The SBOE denied the request, stating that “granting the petitioner’s request will result in uneven application of standards across educator preparation program providers and undermine the comparability of educator preparation pathways.” 

Annual Report of the State Operated School District of Camden City 

Camden City Public Schools gave its annual report to the SBOE. The report begins around 59:07 of the meeting recording.  

Monthly Literacy Update 

As part of an ongoing series of periodic conversations on literacy, Commissioner Laux provided updated data on statewide literacy screener usage pursuant to P.L.2024, c.52. Notably, as of the middle-of-the-year screening window for 2025-2026, 90% of LEAs had submitted required screening data. Of those, 41% reported using DIBELS/DIBELS mCLASS, 26% used iReady, 10% used STAR assessments, and 23% used other screeners.  “We’re looking forward to continuing to share best practices among districts who are already using some of these screeners, continue to provide updated guidance as it relates to implementation and how this data can be used effectively, and then additional technical assistance,” Commissioner Laux said.  

Statewide School Funding Outreach Project 

Commissioner Laux shared the Department’s recent announcement of its new Statewide School Funding Outreach Project. For additional information, see the Department’s August 5 news release and NJSBA’s August 11 School Board Notes Article Sherrill Administration Launches Statewide School Funding Outreach Effort 

 QSAC Certifications 

Since its July meeting, the SBOE has finalized nine interim QSAC reviews and 56 full reviews. 27 districts were recommended for certification as high-performing.