On March 18th, NJDOE requested a one-year waiver of the requirements to administer the: New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science; Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM); and ACCESS for English Language Learners (ELLs). The NJDOE is also requesting a one-year waiver of all related accountability and reporting requirements.
Please take a few minutes to review the following sample letters. We hope you will elect to use either or both letters.
New Jersey educational leaders are well aware of the challenges our students and their families and communities face on a continuing basis because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Whether it is the classroom or home environments or extra-curricular activities, nothing has been left untouched. The pandemic has entered all aspects of life and education. The disruptions to the pre-K-12 education system in New Jersey are massive.
Kudos to everyone instrumental in the passage of The American Rescue Plan. As school leaders begin to implement the resources offered through the plan, enhanced educational opportunities in a post-pandemic future will become a reality for our students.
It is in that spirit of both optimism and realistic caution that we urge you to write to U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to grant New Jersey's request for a standardized testing waiver.
As always, if I can be of assistance, email me.
Sincerely,
