NJSLA Math Practice

About the NJSLA

New Jersey administers the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment in Mathematics (NJSLA-M) to students in grades 3 through 8 each spring. NJSLA replaced PARCC in 2018, but it inherited the PARCC item bank, the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (which are derived from Common Core), and the same five-level proficiency scale running from Level 1 to Level 5. The test is delivered fully on computer through the New Jersey Department of Education's contracted vendor (currently Pearson). Most districts test between mid-April and early June, with a window the state publishes annually.

The math test consists of two units, each about 60 to 90 minutes depending on grade. Items include traditional multiple-choice, multiple-select, equation-editor, drag-and-drop graphing, and constructed-response items. Grade 8 students enrolled in Algebra I take the Algebra I end-of-course assessment instead of the grade 8 math test, which is a common acceleration pattern in New Jersey middle schools. Score reports are available to districts through PearsonAccessNext and to families through district portals; reports include scale score, level, and subclaim-level performance in Major Content, Additional and Supporting Content, and Expressing Mathematical Reasoning.

New Jersey uses NJSLA results as one component of school performance reports and as part of the federally required ESSA accountability calculation, but there is no statewide retention rule tied to NJSLA scores. Districts can use NJSLA data for placement and program eligibility, including some gifted and accelerated math placements. The state pauses or modifies administration during emergencies (NJSLA was canceled in spring 2020 and modified in 2021), but full administration has been in place since 2022.

Official source: https://www.nj.gov/education/assessment/