2026 Parent Letter - New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA)

Sep 30, 2026

Letter from the district superintendent to parents and guardians explaining New Jersey’s March 2026 statewide assessments. It outlines the testing purpose, alignment to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, and how results help schools and families track progress and refine instruction. Includes the NJDOE testing window for NJSLA-A ELA and Math and the NJSLA-S Science test, describes computer-adaptive ELA/Math units and times, and notes a fall 2025 field test transition for grades 4-12.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

NJDOE Testing Window

NJSLA-A ELA and Mathematics

NJSLA-Science (NJSLA-S)

Purpose of Statewide Assessments

About the ELA and Math Tests (NJSLA-A)

NJSLA-A units and adaptive format

Unit Testing Times (NJSLA-A)

About the Science Test (NJSLA-S)

Fixed-form format and unit times

Testing the Test

Fall 2025 field test transition

Additional Information

Dr. Kerry Postma, Superintendent Mrs. Grace White, Assistant Superintendent March 2026 Dear Parent/Guardian, This spring, your child will participate in New Jersey’s statewide assessments. These state-required tests provide one important way to understand how well students are learning grade‑level skills in English, math, and science. All of New Jersey’s statewide assessments are based on the New Jersey Student Learning Standards ( NJSLS) , which describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. While the state test may look a little different this year, it still measures whether students are learning skills and knowledge expected for their grade. NJDOE Testing Window | Assessment | Test Administration Dates | | --- | --- | | NJSLA-A ELA and Mathematics | May 4th through May 13th, 2026 | | NJSLA-Science ( NJSLA-S) | May 14th through May 21st, 2026 | Purpose of Statewide Assessments Students take different kinds of tests during the school year, and each type of test serves a different purpose. New Jersey’s statewide assessments are one important way to show families and communities how well students, schools, and districts are meeting the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, which describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. These results provide schools with valuable insight into students’ progress and help educators refine instruction when needed to strengthen learning. They allow teachers and school leaders to see how students grow from year to year, and to ensure all students have access to strong, grade‑level instruction. This information also helps districts confirm their curriculum matches the state standards. Overall, statewide tests give families and schools an understanding of how students are growing and where support may be needed so every child can succeed. About the ELA and Math Tests ( NJSLA‑A) This spring, for the first time, statewide tests in English and math ( NJSLA‑A) will be computer‑adaptive. As your child answers questions, the test adjusts in real time. If a question is answered correctly, the next one may be slightly more challenging. If your child struggles, the test may provide a question that is less difficult. This helps the assessment “zero in” on your child’s understanding more precisely. Every student receives a different mix of questions, but all questions are reviewed together to measure the same grade-level standards and skills. Adaptive tests do not change what students are expected to know; they simply help measure those skills more accurately. The NJSLA-A consists of three (3) units; ELA-Reading, ELA-Writing, and Mathematics. Unit Testing Times ( NJSLA‑A) | Unit | Session 1 Testing Time (minutes) | Session 2 Testing Time (minutes) | Total Test Time (minutes) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | ELA-Reading | 75 | 75 | 150 | | ELA-Writing | 90 | N/A | 90 | | Mathematics | 75 | 75 | 150 | About the Science Test ( NJSLA‑S) The science assessment is a fixed‑form test, meaning all students receive the same questions. While the test will now appear in the same online platform as the ELA and math assessments, the format and content remain the same as last year. Unit Testing Times ( NJSLA-S) | Science Grade Level | Units
(total number) | Testing Time per Unit (minutes) | Total Test Time (minutes) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Grades 5 and 8 | 4 | 45 | 180 | Testing the Test In fall 2025 , to ensure a smooth transition to this new type of test, students in grades 4-12 took part in afield test for the adaptive ELA and math assessments. A field test is a way for the New Jersey Department of Education to try out new test questions before they officially count toward student scores. The test designers, including educator committees, review these results to make sure the test questions are clear, fair, and appropriate for students and that they produce helpful data to families, schools, and the public. This process

FAQs

What is the purpose of the New Jersey statewide assessments described in the letter?

The assessments provide one way to understand how well students are learning grade-level skills aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Results help schools refine instruction and help families see where support may be needed.

When will students take the NJSLA-A ELA and Mathematics tests and the NJSLA-S Science test?

NJSLA-A ELA and Mathematics are scheduled May 4th through May 13th, 2026. NJSLA-Science (NJSLA-S) is scheduled May 14th through May 21st, 2026.

How does the NJSLA-A ELA and Mathematics computer-adaptive testing work?

As a student answers, the test adjusts in real time. Correct answers may lead to slightly more challenging questions, while struggling may lead to less difficult questions, without changing what students are expected to know.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Lucas Martin