This bill eliminates the statewide high school graduation proficiency test requirement for all New Jersey students. It directly affects every high school student in the state by removing a mandated test as a condition for earning a diploma. The key mechanism deletes references to the "Statewide proficiency test" from existing graduation statutes (including sections of P.L.1979, c.241), shifting responsibility to local school districts to set their own graduation standards. This change means students will no longer need to pass a state-administered test to graduate, though local districts must still establish and monitor proficiency requirements.
This bill (A-167) requires New Jersey's State Board of Education to obtain legislative approval before implementing changes to core curriculum standards or statewide assessments. Specifically, any revision to these standards or assessments must be submitted to the Legislature, which must vote on a concurrent resolution within 45 days to approve or disapprove the change. If disapproved, the change cannot be implemented; if approved, it takes effect. This directly affects the State Board of Education (which develops standards) and the Legislature (which must vote on changes), shifting authority from the Board to the elected Legislature for these education policy decisions.
This bill prohibits New Jersey's State Board of Education from requiring teachers to use "student growth objectives" (SGOs) to measure student progress as part of teacher evaluations. Currently, SGOs account for 15-50% of a teacher's evaluation score. The bill directly affects all public school teachers by eliminating this specific evaluation component. The key provision bans the State Board from mandating SGOs or any substantially similar assessment for teacher evaluations, effective immediately upon enactment.
This bill eliminates the requirement that New Jersey's high school graduation proficiency test be administered to 11th grade students. It revises existing law to remove the specific mandate for testing 11th graders, while maintaining the requirement for students to demonstrate proficiency through other means to graduate. The change directly affects current 11th grade students and future cohorts, removing a standardized test requirement they previously had to take. The bill focuses on modifying assessment administration timing without altering the overall graduation proficiency standards.
This bill requires New Jersey's State Board of Education to seek legislative approval for any updates to core curriculum standards (defining what students learn) or statewide assessments (like standardized tests). The State Board must submit proposed changes to the legislature, which then has 45 days to approve or disapprove them via a concurrent resolution. If disapproved, the changes cannot be implemented. This directly affects the State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education, shifting authority over curriculum and testing decisions from the education board to the legislature.
This bill, S 247, would eliminate New Jersey's statewide high school graduation proficiency test requirement. It directly affects all New Jersey public high school students, removing the mandate to pass a state-administered test in reading, writing, and math for graduation. The bill deletes references to the "High School Proficiency Test" from existing education laws and shifts responsibility to local school districts to establish their own graduation standards. Instead of a statewide test, districts would set their own criteria for student proficiency, with the State Board of Education no longer requiring the test as part of graduation standards. The bill is pending before the Senate Education Committee.
