Posted on September 15, 2025
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For more information on this topic, contact Nina Peckman at npeckman@acnj.org.
Starting in Fall 2025, New Jersey will roll out a new “adaptive” version of state standardized tests for students in grades 3–12. This change will affect both the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) and the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA). Unlike traditional tests, adaptive assessments use computer software that adjusts question difficulty based on how a student responds. Field testing begins in Fall 2025, with full implementation scheduled for Spring 2026.
As a parent, you have important rights to information under New Jersey Rev Stat 18A:7C-6.6. School districts and charter schools are required to provide information about testing procedures, the accommodations or accessibility options that are available to students, and how to access sample questions and assessment answers and results.
For additional information, take these steps:
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- Check your district’s website and the NJ Department of Education’s assessment page for updates.
- Ask your child’s teacher or guidance counselor how these changes affect your student. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, confirm accommodations will continue under the adaptive format.
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If problems arise, keep records of your communications with teachers and school administrators. Escalate unresolved issues to your district superintendent or the NJDOE’s County Office of Education.
You may wish to contact an education attorney if your child’s legally mandated accommodations are not provided, if technical or administrative errors during testing negatively impact your child’s record, or if your school district fails to follow the requirements of the law. For additional support, the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network offers free guidance for families, and the NJ Children’s System of Care provides services for children who need extra emotional or behavioral supports. Remember: while these tests are important, they are just one measure of your child’s learning. Staying engaged and informed is the best way to ensure your child is supported through this change.
