September 6, 2022

Parents/Guardians:

I am writing to inform you of the state and standardized testing schedule for Park Ridge students during the 2022-2023 school year. Last year the State introduced two new student tests, Start Strong and the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment. Both are scheduled to continue this year. 

We are required to administer the Start Strong assessment again this year. This test, while a state-wide assessment, is not designed to be a high-stakes test. It is diagnostic in scope, testing students on material based on the previous year of instruction, and with no implication for graduation. For example, a 6th-grade student will be tested on 5th-grade math skills. New Jersey has mandated the Start Strong Assessment in ELA and Math for all students in grades 4 through 10, and students in Grades 6, 9, and 12 must take a Start Strong assessment in Science. Since the math test is based on subject areas after the 8th grade level, some 11th grade students in Algebra II will also need to take the Start Strong Assessment for Math. 

The New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA) will be administered this spring to current Juniors (Class of 2024). Current law requires that the NJGPA be the primary graduation requirement for the Classes of 2024 and 2025. For students who require them, there are other pathways to graduation. Full information about graduation requirements can be found online on our Curriculum Department’s website, or you may contact your child’s school. 

Finally, we are piloting a screener and diagnostic from IXL this year. All teachers in our elementary schools received training on this screener, and we hope that it  will help provide us, and you, useful information about your child’s progress in ELA and mathematics. Only select teachers will administer this screener, which is expected to take only about 25 minutes to complete. 

The dates of the Spring 2023 exams in the chart below are the Testing Windows set by the State Department of Education or vendor. As these exams draw nearer, your building principals will reach out with more information, including exact testing dates.

Patrick D. Bernardo

Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology