Amendments to N.J.A.C. 6A:8 Standards and Assessment

1. Amendments to N.J.A.C. 6A:8Standards and Assessment

2. Highlights of Substantive Changes To update and establish the intent of the chapter • Incorporates “college and career readiness” into the purpose of the chapter. • Redefines the Core Curriculum Content Standards (CCCS) to include the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in ELA and mathematics. • Implements a statewide assessment system that will include achievement of the CCSS.

3. Highlights of Substantive Changes To reflect changes in law and code • Deletes definition and use of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and replaces it with Annual Measurable Objectives (AMO) (ESEA waiver) • Replaces references to the Quality Assurance Annual Report (QAAR) with the Quality Single Accountability Continuum (QSAC) • Changes “vocational education” to “career and technical education” (Perkins Act) • Replaces references to the Special Review Assessment (SRA) with the Alternative High School Assessment (ASHA)

4. Highlights of Substantive Changes To reflect changes in definitions or terminology • Changes reference to the CCCS content area from “technological literacy” to “technology” • Redefines “structured learning experiences” to match 6A: 19 • Adds the new definition of “Twenty-first century themes and skills” to clarify 6A:8-3(c)2 • Updates the definition of career and technical education to reflect their alignment to the CCSS

5. Highlights of Substantive Changes To eliminate outdated or redundant references • Removes references to Professional Development Standards and local professional development plans addressed in 6A:9 • Removes references to “additional evaluation” of district boards of education because it was associated with QAAR • Removes the Appendix, which contained AYP targets • Removes references and timelines associated with outdated standards. • Deletes references to high school competency assessments and adds the requirement to develop new high school assessments to measure the CCSS in ELA and mathematics

6. Highlights of Substantive Changes To enhance clarity • Adds “at-risk of failure” to clarify that modifications described in the subsection on instructional tools and resources applies to students at-risk of failure • Deletes the 2 year timeline for personalized student learning plans pilot and evaluation program to clarify that the regulation imposes no mandate • Establishes that the ASHA is submitted for review to the DOE in Trenton, not to the exec. county superintendent • Stipulates that the Department’s student achievement reporting requirement includes aggregated and disaggregated data for students with disabilities and ELLs

7. Highlights of Substantive Changes To provide more time and flexibility for districts to fulfill requirements • Adds “business” to the 10 days districts have to transmit any official records, including students transcripts • Replaces “cumulative progress indicators” with “indicators” to enable districts to use other measurements to assess progress (formative and summative assessments) • Changes the reporting requirement for chief school administrators to present assessment data from 30 to 60 days • Allows districts to select the delivery format to meet requirements of 6A:8-3(b)1-4 (opportunities to provide information about career interests and specialized programs that reflect the needs of students and the community)