New Jersey Student Learning Assessments

The North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District will administer the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) to students in Grades 9 and 10 who are enrolled in Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, English 9, and/or English 10. (Note: Students in Grade 11 will not take NJSLA in ELA or Math.) Public school districts are mandated by state law (N.J.S.A. 18A:7C-1) to administer this statewide assessment. Freshmen and sophomores who are enrolled in Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, English 9, and/or English 10 are required to be enrolled in the NJSLA, and it is the expectation of the New Jersey Department of Education and the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District that all students complete all NJSLA assessments that they are assigned.

The NJSLA is a means of demonstrating graduation proficiency for all students. The NJ High School Graduation Requirements describe the methods by which students can demonstrate proficiency in Math and English in order to be eligible to graduate.

The NJSLA measures student progress toward the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), which New Jersey adopted in 2010, in mathematics and language arts. State standards are goals for what we want our students to know and the skills they should acquire at each grade level. Although these math and language arts standards were adjusted in 2016, the New Jersey Student Learning Standards are very similar to the Common Core State Standards that were originally adopted.

Testing Dates and Schedule:

The NJSLA will be administered in our district on April 11 and 12 (Mathematics units) and April 15, 16, & 17 (English Language Arts units). The assessments measure student achievement in the areas of Mathematics and Language Arts Literacy. Freshmen and sophomores who are enrolled in Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, English 9, and/or English 10 will participate in the NJSLA assessment on the days listed above. Please note that students must take all units of each NJSLA assessment in order to receive a reported score.

We will be running two bus runs on testing days.  All students taking the test need to come to school at the regular time. Students not taking the test can get on their bus 2 ½ hours later than their regular pick-up time. We will be following the below two-and-a-half-hour delayed-opening bell schedule once testing for that day has ended:

Supervision for seniors and other students not testing who arrive early will be available in the main gym.

A regular Polytech bus schedule will be run for those students not taking the test, so they can report to NHHS at the normal time for the bus to Polytech. PM Polytech students will attend the first two periods, and then they will have an opportunity to purchase lunch before getting on the bus.

Preparation:

Students have received specific instruction in their Mathematics and English classes to prepare them for these computer-based assessments.

To be prepared for this assessment, students should get a good night’s rest and eat a healthy breakfast each morning prior to testing. Encourage your child to do his or her best.

Testing-Day Requirements:

On assessment days, the following is required of all students taking the test:

1. Students must bring their fully-charged Chromebook and charger to school.
2. Students must bring earbuds or headphones for the audio portions of tests (this is only for the English Language Arts units).
3. Every student must present his or her NHHS ID card or driver’s license each day of testing to verify identity.
4. Students should have nothing with them other than their fully-charged Chromebook, Chromebook charger, earbuds, two No. 2 pencils, a calculator (for Math sections), and their student ID or driver’s license.
5. New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) directives prohibit backpacks, handbags, cell phones, any other electronic devices, food, and water bottles from being in the testing areas. Please remind your child to leave these items in his or her locker during testing.
6. Students are permitted to bring a book to read after they have completed their assessment.
7. Attendance will be taken in each testing room daily, so students must report directly to their designated classroom each morning at 7:45 a.m.
8. Students who miss any section due to illness will be advised about the make-up testing date and location for the test that was missed.
9. Students will be advised of their testing location by email prior to testing.

The testing schedule that has been created allows our students to test in classrooms rather than in large groups, which ensures optimal academic conditions for all students who are taking these assessments, while still being able to maintain a normal academic schedule for the remainder of the day.

Again, please be reminded that all students must present a valid form of ID and that NJDOE guidelines prohibit backpacks, handbags, cell phones, any other prohibited electronic devices, food, and water bottles from being in the testing areas.

You can learn more about NJSLA on the New Jersey Department of Education’s Assessment website.

Anyone with questions can contact Mr. Tim Flynn, Assistant Principal, at 908-713-4199 x6351 or by email at tflynn@nhvweb.net. On behalf of the faculty and staff, thank you for your continued support.

Respectfully,

Greg Cottrell

Principal

North Hunterdon High School