To provide a barometer of New Jersey's student performance, NJDOE Acting Chief Performance Officer/Assistant Commissioner of Data, Research, Evaluation and Reporting Jeffrey Hauger presented state data that can be compared against the PARCC data consisting of student performance from 10 states (Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, and Rhode Island) and DC that administered PARCC in spring 2015.

The Executive Director and CEO of The National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY) Katherine Bassett, the 2000 New Jersey Teacher of the Year, participating remotely, said, "You went from a good test to a better test."

The Executive Summary of NNSTOY's report titled, "The Right Trajectory," states,
           One panel reviewed PARCC and two prior state assessments: ISAT
           from Illinois, and NJASK from New Jersey (both states currently use
           PARCC). The second panel reviewed Smarter Balanced and two prior
           state assessments: DCAS from Delaware, and NECAP from New
           Hampshire (both states currently use Smarter Balanced). All assessments
           were for fifth grade reading and math because it is on the cusp between
           elementary and middle school, making assessments at that grade relevant to
           elementary and middle teachers and students.

Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission (MRESC) Name Change Request 
The MRESC Board of Directors strongly believes that changing its name to the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey is significant in order to accurately reflect the fact that it provides services to 591 of the 611 boards of education throughout New Jersey.
Response to Questions from The New Jersey Board of Education
Rationale for a Change of Name and Enlargement of Purpose