NJDOE Issues Memorandum on NJSLA with Key Dates and Information

The New Jersey Department of Education recently issued a memorandum providing local education agencies with key dates and information for the fall block 2024 administration of the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment in English language arts and mathematics.

Participation in the Fall Administration of the NJSLA in ELA and Mathematics

The fall block NJSLA will be administered in person from Dec. 2 through Dec. 13, 2024. Make-up testing will be administered in person from Dec. 16 through Dec. 20, 2024. Local educational agencies must administer fall block assessments to students in grade nine who are enrolled in a fall block course for ELA and mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II). A fall block course is defined as a course that starts at the beginning of the academic year and completes instruction at the end of the fall semester.

There may be some situations that would require a student in grade 10, 11, or 12 to take an NJSLA for mathematics. The memorandum provides additional details.

District test coordinators and technology coordinators should visit the New Jersey Assessments Resource Center under Educator Resources > Test Administration Resources for access to the training materials, test coordinator and test administrator manuals and other associated resources that were posted for the spring 2024 administration.

Student Registration/Personal Needs Profile Upload

For fall block NJSLA, LEAs must upload student registration files directly to PearsonAccess^next. The initial upload window for the fall block administration is now open. LEAs may continue to make updates to student data prior to and throughout the testing window until the district data clean-up window closes on Jan. 6, 2025.

Students taking the paper-based versions of the assessments must be included in the student registration upload.

Paper Test Materials

All paper-based test materials must be ordered through the additional orders process, which will begin on Nov. 12, 2024, and end Dec. 13, 2024. LEAs must specify the exact number of individual student tests kits required. After an additional order has been reviewed and approved, it will take approximately four to five business days for materials to be delivered. Tracking information can be found in PAN once materials have been shipped.

Answer documents are no longer used for paper-based testing. Instead, students will write their answers in their test booklet.

The NJSLA are computer-based assessments, and most students should take the assessment on a computer. Students who are unable to use a computer, based on a need documented in a valid Section 504 Plan, Individualized Education Program, or as part of the accommodations defined for multilingual learners will take the assessment using paper and pencil.

Students receiving homebound instruction may be tested using computer-based assessments or paper-based assessments. The mode of testing should be based on individual student needs. Computer-based assessments must be administered using a district-supplied portable electronic device and mobile hotspot.

For more information regarding the fall block 2024 NJSLA administration key dates, please review the complete list of fall block 2024 NJSLA key dates found on the NJSLA/NJGPA Resources webpage under the heading Testing Schedule and Key Dates.

There is much more detailed information in the full memorandum.

For any questions, please contact the Office of Assessments at 609-376-3960 or via email.