Spring 2021 New Jersey Student Learning Assessments - English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science - Important Activities and Key Dates - memorandum

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Blitz

Memorandum to New Jersey district test and technology coordinators providing key spring 2021 dates and preparation information for administering the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, and science. It explains the lack of a waiver for 2020-2021 statewide assessment requirements, introduces a remote administration option running March 15 to June 11, 2021, and outlines required virtual asynchronous DTC training windows, support sessions, and registration guidance. It also covers cancelled ELA field testing and assessment registration data timelines in PearsonAccessNext.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Spring 2021 NJSLA Overview

Remote Administration Option

Cancelled 2020-2021 ELA Field Test

DTC Training (District Test and Technology Coordinators)

Virtual Asynchronous Training Window

Live Q&A and One-on-One Support Availability

NJSLA Administration Window

Recommended Early End-of-Course Testing

Student Registration Data and Imports

NJ SMART Submission Data (ELA and Mathematics)

Added SR/PNP Fields for This Spring

SR/PNP Import Process for Science

| | | --- | | | | Date: January 27, 2021
To: Chief School Administrators, Charter School and Renaissance School Project Leads
Route To: District Test Coordinators, District Technology Coordinators, School Test Coordinators
From: Lisa J. Gleason, Ed. D., Assistant Commissioner
Division of Academics and Performance
Spring 2021 New Jersey Student Learning Assessments English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science: Important Activities and Key Dates
This memorandum provides districts with the key dates and information to assist with preparation for administering the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) statewide assessment program in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, and science for the spring of 2021. At this time, the United States Department of Education has not indicated that there will be any form of waiver of states’ statewide assessment obligations for the 2020-2021 school year.
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) recognizes that the disruption to education due to the COVID- 19 pandemic persists as schools and districts prepare for the spring 2021 assessment administration. To provide greater flexibility to educators and districts, the NJDOE will provide the option to administer the NJSLA remotely during the spring 2021 assessment administration, which runs from March 15, 2021 to June 11, 2021.
The NJDOE will provide guidance and supports for both in-person and remote administrations of the NJSLA for the spring of 2021 through trainings and resources outlined below. Any updates to administration procedures will be shared with the public as soon as possible.
2020-2021 Cancelled English Language Arts (ELA) Field Test
The ELA field test unit will not be a part of the state ELA assessments for spring 2021. Districts that were selected for the canceled spring 2020 field test will not have to schedule for a field test unit.
Spring 2021 NJSLA District Test and Technology Coordinator (DTC) Training
Each year, the NJDOE requires that all District Test Coordinators and District Technology Coordinators attend training hosted by the Office of Assessments on the administration of the NJSLA statewide assessment program in ELA, mathematics, and science.
The spring 2021 District Test and Technology Coordinator Training will be virtual and asynchronous. Training will also cover preparation for remote administration of the NJSLA. Training modules will be available online through anew virtual event platform from February 22, 2021 to March 5, 2021 and must be completed within that timeframe. As a reminder, the DTCs are required to participate in these trainings each year.
Limits on attendance are lifted for the 2021 virtual training modules and all school and district coordinators are welcome to register. A memo containing registration information will be shared in the coming weeks.
Live virtual question and answer sessions regarding DTC training topics, as well as virtual one-on-one support sessions with Pearson Level 2 technical support staff, will be available during the second week of the training window (March 1 through March 4, 2021) . These sessions are available to participants as an optional support resource. However, there will be capacity limits on Q&A sessions and one-on-one support sessions will be first come, first served. Due to these capacity limits, only DTCs can register for the live Q&A sessions and technical | support sessions. The NJDOE will make every effort to ensure that DTCs with questions or technical support needs are accommodated. NJSLA Administration Window – March 15, 2021 to June 11, 2021 In a memo dated November 18, 2020, the NJDOE announced the postponement of the fall block assessment administration window and a single expanded window for the administration of fall, regular, and spring assessment blocks. The NJDOE recommends that students who complete their courses during the fall block be administered the associated end-of-cou

FAQs

What is the spring 2021 NJSLA administration window for ELA, mathematics, and science?

The administration window runs from March 15, 2021 to June 11, 2021. Remote administration is available during this period.

Is the 2020-2021 ELA field test required for spring 2021?

No. The ELA field test unit will not be part of the state ELA assessments for spring 2021, and districts that were selected for the cancelled spring 2020 field test do not need to schedule a field test unit.

What training do District Test Coordinators (DTCs) need to complete for spring 2021?

All District Test Coordinators and District Technology Coordinators must attend virtual and asynchronous training. The modules are available online from February 22, 2021 to March 5, 2021 and must be completed within that timeframe.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Blitz