On Wednesday, August 7th, the New Jersey State Board of Education (“Board”) held its monthly meeting. Key decisions included delaying the NJSLA implementation schedule for mathematics, discussing amendments to student residency requirements, and continuing the review of NJQSAC.
Delay of NJSLS Mathematics Curriculum Implementation
On Wednesday, the State Board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution to amend the New Jersey Student Learning Standards implementation timeline for mathematics, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:8-2.1(a). Concerns from Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and stakeholder associations, including NJPSA, highlighted the challenges of implementing both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics standards within the original timeline. Given the critical nature of both content areas and the less than one-year timeline, the process was deemed overly strenuous.
NJPSA’s advocacy efforts on requesting this delay in implementation began last fall, when NJPSA members began to share concerns with us that rewriting quality curricula for ELA and math that results in a robust and viable instructional resource in the timelines initially set by the NJDOE, was arduous at best. Newly passed literacy laws made it important to have the ELA work in place this fall, but doing both major subject areas simultaneously seemed like an unnecessary charge. NJPSA was able to gain the support of organizations who collectively comprise the Leadership for Educational Excellence (LEE) group, to send a letter to the Commissioner respectfully requesting an extension of the implementation deadline from September 2024 to September 2025 in order to allow time for comprehensive standards review, curriculum updates and development, and budgetary planning in every New Jersey school district.
With an understanding that September 2024 is next month, Board members asked the NJDOE if they had any definitive numbers on how many districts have already begun implementation ahead of this proposal; they did not have data other than anecdotal. The revised schedule now mandates that districts align their curriculum with the 2023 NJSLS for ELA by September 2024 and for Mathematics by September 2025. NJPSA is proud to have been part of obtaining this adjustment and remains hopeful that it will alleviate some of the pressures on districts and provide a more manageable timeline.
Amendment to Student Residency Rules
The Board approved changes to student residency rules to align with state law. These rules determine student eligibility to attend school without tuition based on residency. The updates, prompted by P.L.2023, c.61 (effective from the 2024/2025 school year), now require tuition payment for certain non-resident students. The revisions to the student residency rules were agency-initiated and necessary to ensure that district policies are in sync with state statute, essential for legal compliance and clarity for families. The amendment removes the word “without,” making it clear that tuition applies. View the Department’s presentation to the Board here.
The proposal faced initial contention, resulting in a split vote. However, after reconsideration, the resolution passed with one abstention.
Second Level Discussion of NJQSAC Amendments
The Department proposes amendments to N.J.A.C. 6A:30 to streamline and clarify rules, update terminology, and remove gendered language. The amendments also address the District Performance Review (DPR) for school districts and county special services school districts (CSSSDs). These changes aim to align NJQSAC with federal ESSA requirements and improve the evaluation process.
The amendments will redistribute evaluation points to emphasize more significant indicators and provide greater equity across district configurations. Proposed amendments at Appendix A and Appendix B will redistribute points to equitably apply the Department’s evaluation of the performance of all school districts to which the chapter applies, regardless of configuration. Other proposed amendments at Appendicies A and B will redistribute points to provide greater weight for indicators of more significance across the five key component areas of school district effectiveness. The proposed amendments at Appendices A and B have been developed with extensive input from stakeholders to create a monitoring tool that focuses on teaching and learning and preparing students to be college and career ready.
The effective date for these changes is delayed until July 1, 2025, to avoid disrupting the current evaluation cycle and give districts time to adapt. View the Department’s presentation to the State Board on Chapter 30 here.
Appointment of State Special Education Advisory Council Members
The Board also adopted a resolution to appoint/reappoint members to the State Special Education Advisory Council. This council advises on unmet needs in special education, reviews proposed regulations, and helps develop data reporting and corrective action plans under IDEA. Congratulations to the new and reappointed members, including NJPSA’s own Mr. John Worthington, Esq.
Public Testimony
Later, the Board received public testimony on the readoptions with amendments to Chapter 30, Evaluation of the Performance of School Districts, and Chapter 5, Regulatory Equivalency and Waiver, as well as the revisions to the State Board of Education Public Testimony Procedures policy. NJPSA Assistant Director of Government Relations Jennie Lamon provided testimony regarding appreciation for the proposed amendments on NJQSAC shifting points from achievement indicators to growth indicators, as well as for the ongoing stakeholder engagement, but urged the Department to take this opportunity during regulatory reform to make NJQSAC an overall fairer and more transparent accountability system. Read NJPSA’s testimony here.
Upcoming Meeting
Next month, the State Board will meet on September 4, 2024. The State Board will also hold an “Open Topic” public testimony session on September 4th beginning at 2 PM. If you are interested in testifying on any topic regarding public education, have any questions or would like to discuss any of the matters before the State Board of Education further, please contact your NJPSA Government Relations team at governmentrelations@njpsa.org.