Returning this year, all juniors (except those eligible for the Dynamic Learning Maps assessment) are required to take the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA). New state regulations require all students to demonstrate proficiency by achieving a passing score on the English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics components of the NJGPA. Students who complete the NJGPA, but do not receive a passing score, will have the opportunity to retake the NJGPA in the following summer or fall, utilize the menu of alternative assessments, or complete a portfolio appeal. Complete graduation assessment requirements can be found at https://www.nj.gov/education/assessment/requirements/. The NJGPA is aligned to New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) for grade 10 ELA, Algebra I, and Geometry. The assessment will be delivered online through the same platform students used last year for NJGPA and the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA).
Testing Dates and Schedule:
The NJGPA will be administered to juniors in our district on March 11 and 12 (English Language Arts units) and March 13 and 14 (Mathematics units). Each unit is 90 minutes in length. Please note that students must complete all units of each NJGPA section in order to receive a reported score.
We will be running two bus runs on testing days*. All juniors taking the test and all seniors going to AM Polytech classes need to come to school at the regular time. Students in grades 9, 10, and 12 not taking the test (and not going to AM Polytech) will get on their bus 2 ½ hours later than their regular pick-up time, however freshmen are encouraged to take the You Science Career Aptitude Assessment on March 14th (more information will be sent separately to freshmen). At the conclusion of testing, we will follow the 2.5 Hour-Delayed Opening Schedule for Standardized Testing.
*Students who live outside of the North Hunterdon-Voorhees district and are enrolled in a vocational academy will not have two bus runs. Buses will pick up out-of-district academy students at their regular pick-up time. If they can get personal transportation, they can arrive at school by 10:14am if they are not testing
Polytech Students:
The regular Polytech shuttle schedule will run for those students not taking the test, so they can report to school at the normal time for the bus to Polytech. Juniors who are testing will not attend AM Polytech on testing days and Polytech is aware of our testing schedule. 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:
Practice tests for the NJGPA are available on the NJGPA section of the New Jersey Assessments Resource Center under “Getting Started Online.” The practice tests are available in computer-based and paper-based formats, including accommodations such as text-to-speech and large print.
To prepare for the assessment, students should get a good night’s rest prior to the test and eat a healthy breakfast each morning. Please stress to your junior the importance of this test. Poor performance can impact a student’s graduation.
Testing-Day Requirements:
On assessment days, the following is required of all students taking the test:
- Students must bring their fully-charged Chromebook and charger to school.
- Students must bring wired earbuds or headphones for the audio portions of the tests (this is only for the ELA units).
- Every student must present their school ID card or driver’s license each day of testing to verify identity.
- 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.
- 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.
- Students will be advised of their testing location by email prior to testing.
- 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; make-up testing will be March 20-23.
Anyone with questions can contact Jessica Cantagallo-Rohm, Assistant Principal, at 908-638-2199 ext. 7351 or jcantagallo-rohm@nhvweb.net.
On behalf of the faculty and staff, we want to thank you for your continued support.
Respectfully,
Ron Peterson
Principal
Voorhees High School
