Commissioner's Report
Blended Online Learning Modules NJDOE Assistant Commissioner/Chief Academic Officer Kimberley Harrington and Director, Office of Teaching and Learning Support, Robin Knutelsky provided a
synopsis of the continuing PARCC data conversations that drive the cycle of teaching and learning. Twelve regional sessions to model how the evidence statement reports can be used are scheduled for: May 12 & 25, Rowan at Gloucester County; May 20 & 27, Morris County Public Safety; and June 9 & 16, NJDOE.
Portfolio Appeals Overview NJDOE Director, Office of Assessments, Jeffrey Hauger was joined by colleagues
Assistant Commissioner/Chief Academic Officer Kimberley Harrington and Deputy Chief, Legal & External Affairs Office, Samantha Skabla in a comprehensive
presentation that addressed what it takes to graduate in the State of New Jersey; a description of the Portfolio Appeals process and NJDOE's preparation to receive and review submitted appeals. He reminded all districts to ensure that students who have met all other high school graduation requirements, with the exception of the statewide assessment, complete a portfolio appeal as soon as possible. In addition, districts should notify parents/guardians by the beginning of May if the district is submitting an appeal on behalf of their child.
Slated for Publication in the New Jersey Register
Standards and Assessments Amendments Pertaining to High School 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 The State Board of Education approved proposed amendments to
N.J.A.C. 6A:8,
Standards and Assessment. This 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.
NJDOE proposed 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.
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 the Department'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 Department'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.
First Discussion - Programs to Support Student Development NJDOE Assistant Commissioner Sue Martz shared with the State Board an overview of the amendments to Chapter 16 pertaining to anti-bullying pursuant to
N.J.S.A. 18A:4-15 and 18A:37-15 and 21 and
N.J.A.C. 6A:32-7.
Adopted Resolutions
Revised English Language Arts and Mathematics Standards Prior to the State Board's approval of a
resolution renaming all preschool through grade 12 Standards - the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, NJDOE Assistant Commissioner/Chief Academic Officer Kimberley Harrington presented
highlights of the standards revision.
edTPA Performance Assessment and Qualifying Scores for Novice Teachers to Receive Certification The State Board supports NJDOE's selection of the
edTPA and setting cut scores for one academic year, to expire on August 31, 2018. At that time, a New Jersey-specific standard
setting conducted on or before June 1, 2018 will be used to determine a higher cut score.
Religious Holidays Calendar The State Board approved a
resolution of the religious holidays for the 2016-2017 school year.
School Library Month The State Board and Commissioner of Education recognize April 2016 as School Library Month in New Jersey. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at agallagher@njasa.net or 609-599-2900, ext. 126.
Sincerely,
Anne H. Gallagher
NJASA Director of Communications
