The chapter, which implements the Core Curriculum Content Standards (CCCS) and the Statewide assessment system, is being revised due to the adoption of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessments. The State Board discussed amendments to the regulations pertaining to graduation requirements pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7A-10 through 14, 18A:7C-1 et seq., 18A:7E-2 through 5, 18A:35-4.2 and 4.7, and 18A:59-5.

NJDOE proposes amendments throughout the chapter to transition away from the comprehensive High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) to end-of-course assessments in English language arts (ELA) 10 and Algebra I as the Statewide assessment graduation requirement. This transition to end-of-course assessments is based, in part, upon the recommendations of the New Jersey High School Redesign Steering Committee, which began reviewing the Statewide graduation proficiency assessment requirement in 2006, in addition to the recommendations set forth in the final report of the Study Commission on the Use of Student Assessments in New Jersey.

The end-of-course assessments in ELA 10 and Algebra I were selected as the appropriate assessments for students to demonstrate graduation proficiency as the tests appear to align best with the expectations of the knowledge and skills for graduation established in State statute. However, the selection of ELA 10 and Algebra I is being made to ease the transition to a new assessment system and will be reassessed after a few years of implementation. In addition, the transition of the Statewide assessment graduation requirement to end-of-course assessments will need to take place gradually as some students have already completed content covered by the end-of-course assessments.

As such, students graduating in 2016 through 2019 will be able to satisfy the requirement to demonstrate proficiency in English language arts and mathematics through a means other than an end-of-course PARCC assessment, including achieving a passing score on a substitute competency test or meeting the criteria of NJDOE's portfolio appeal process.

Students graduating in the class of 2020 will be permitted to demonstrate graduation proficiency through the same alternative means as those in the classes of 2016 through 2019, provided that students in the class of 2020 take all end-of-course PARCC assessments for which they are eligible as of the effective date of the proposed amendments. Students graduating in 2021 and thereafter who have not demonstrated proficiency on English language arts and mathematics though the end-of-course PARCC assessment by their senior year may demonstrate graduation proficiency by meeting the criteria of the portfolio appeals process. To assist school districts and students in making a smooth transition to the new assessment system and graduation requirements, the criteria used in the NJDOE's portfolio appeals process for the class of 2016 and thereafter will be similar to the criteria used for the Alternative High School Assessment (AHSA) appeals process.