At New Providence and most schools in New Jersey every year in the Spring students must take the NJSLA (New Jersey Student Learning Assessment), a standardized test designed to measure learning progress.
Last year, unlike previous years, the standardized tests did not happen.  It was decided that taking the test during the pandemic wouldn’t be safe.
Earlier this year, the state of New Jersey requested a waiver from the federal government’s requirement that certain students be tested every year, but it doesn’t look like the Biden Administration is likely to exempt states from the standardized tests.
“I received this memo from the state regarding NJSLA testing. We are going to prepare as if it will occur sometime between May 3 and June 11, but the state is still pursuing the waiver,” said Mrs. Shadis, Director of School Counseling and NPHS Testing Coordinator. “The training starts March 29 so I should have more info after that.”
As of right now, it seems that the NJSLA testing process will be similar to previous years, but no one has an exact plan for the test right now.
“If NJSLA does run, it will be on iPads, no different than in years past. Beyond that, if there are any differences in terms of number of sections, content, who has to test, where students can test, etc., I don’t yet know,” said Mrs. Shadis. “Normally we would find that out during the training sessions, which were postponed and have not yet been rescheduled. The district would need all of the information before we’re able to develop a firm plan, and we just don’t have that yet.”
So as of right now, you should expect to take the NJSLA standardized test this year sometime in the spring.