Earlier today, the US Department of Education (USED) sent a letter stating that New Jersey’s proposal to replace this spring’s NJ-SLA exams with a series of alternative assessment tools is in compliance with federal requirements under ESSA. Dr. Richard Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, Patricia Wright, executive director of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association and Marie Blistan, president of the New Jersey Education Association, issued this statement applauding that ruling:
“We are pleased that the US Department of Education has stated that New Jersey’s plan to replace the NJ-SLA standardized tests with other more appropriate assessment tools fully complies with federal requirements under ESSA. New Jersey students will not have to see their instruction time interrupted to take tests that are not helpful or appropriate under current conditions. Districts and the state will be able to use alternative forms of assessment to gather useful data that will help identify and support student needs. This is a win for New Jersey students and families as we continue our work to support the social, emotional and academic needs of students during and after this pandemic.”