NJSLA Testing Week of May 16th

The North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District will administer the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) to the following students:

• English Language Arts (ELA) – May 16 and 17 – All students in grade 9*
• Math – May 18 and 19 – All students in grade 9* who are enrolled in Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II and students taking Algebra I for the first time, such as students in Algebra IB CP. 
• Science – May 18 and 19 – All students in grade 11 *

* students taking the Dynamic Learning Maps assessment do not have to take NJSLA

Public school districts are mandated by state law (N.J.S.A. 18A:7C-1) to administer this statewide assessment. 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 assessment is a means of demonstrating graduation proficiency for all students. The NJ High School Graduation Requirements identify 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 New Jersey Student Learning Standards in language arts, mathematics, and science. State standards are goals for what we want our students to know and the skills they should acquire at each grade level. 

Testing Dates and Schedule:

The NJSLA will be administered in our district on May 16 and 17 (English Language Arts units) and May 18 and 19 (Mathematics and Science units). The assessments measure student achievement in the areas of language arts literacy, mathematics, and science. Please note that students must complete all units of each NJSLA in order to receive a reported score.

We will provide two bus runs on testing days.  All students taking the assessment and AM Polytech students need to come to school at the regular time. Students not taking the assessment will get on their bus 2 ½ hours later than their regular pick-up time. We will follow the standardized-testing bell schedule during the assessments.

Standardized Testing Bell Schedule:

Supervision for seniors and other students not taking the test who arrive early will be available in the Main Gym.

The regular shuttle to Polytech will run for those students not taking the assessment, so they should report to school at the normal time for the shuttle to Polytech. PM Polytech students will attend the first two periods of school, and then they will have an opportunity to eat lunch before getting on the bus. 

Preparation:

Students have received instruction in their 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. More information for the NJSLA-Science assessment for juniors can be found in the NJSLA-S Parent, Student, and Teacher Information Guide.

Testing Day Requirements:

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

1. 1. Students must bring their fully-charged Chromebook and charger to school.
   2. Students must bring wired earbuds or headphones for the audio portions of the tests (this is only for the ELA units).
   3. Every student must present his or her school ID card or driver’s license each day of testing to verify identity.
   4. 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. 
   5. Students are permitted to bring a book to read after they have completed their assessment.
   6. 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.  
   7. 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.  

• 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. 

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

Anyone with questions can contact Timothy Flynn, Assistant Principal, by email at tflynn@nhvweb.net   On behalf of the faculty and staff, thank you for your continued support.

Respectfully,

Greg Cottrell
Principal