New Jersey Announces Big Change to Student Testing, but Teachers Are Worried About How Quickly It Will Happen

New Jersey’s public schools are getting ready for a big change in standardized testing that will impact how kids are graded all around the state. In the spring of 2026, the state will stop giving the same old tests and start using a new “adaptive” testing system that changes the questions based on how well a student answers them. State officials believe the change will make student learning more individualized and precise, but many teachers and school administrators are worried about how quickly and secretly it is being put into place.

This Monday, the New Jersey Department of Education said that the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) will switch to an adaptive format for math and English Language Arts. This autumn, a few schools will try out the technology-based system, and it will be fully in place in less than two years. The news was not welcome for many teachers.

Teachers Say They Weren’t Included in the Decision

Several education leaders, including members of the state’s main teachers’ union, say they weren’t asked for their opinion before the state opted to change the testing system. Some people say that not getting input from teachers and school administrators could cause misunderstanding and not enough preparedness.

Union officials claim they haven’t been given precise training schedules, even though field testing is supposed to start in October and November. They warn that schools could have trouble with logistics for the first round of testing if they don’t get ready properly.

What the New Adaptive Tests Will Do

The new adaptive system will change the questions for each student based on how well they are doing in real time, unlike the present standardized tests where all students answer the same set of questions. For instance, pupils who get the right answer can get harder questions, while those who have trouble might get easier ones. State authorities think this method will better match a student’s skill level and help them feel less anxious about tests.

The New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA), which is a high-stakes test that 11th graders must pass in order to graduate, will also use the adaptive format. Officials argue that the revisions will make the tests more accurate and secure because no two pupils will get the identical questions.

A New Test Provider

There will also be a big change in who gives the tests because of the migration. New Jersey has given the new contract to Cambium Assessment, a Virginia-based company that specializes in adaptive testing technology. This comes after years of working with Pearson. The contract, which is valued around $58.7 million and lasts for several years, will end in 2027 and covers both the NJSLA and NJGPA.

Cambium already works with more than two dozen states and territories, but there are still doubts regarding how artificial intelligence will be used in New Jersey’s tests. The corporation has said that some of its testing systems incorporate AI, but the state hasn’t said how it will be used in the area.

Worries About Timing, Training, and Technology

According to education experts, their biggest concern isn’t the technology itself, but the fact that they have to get teachers and administrators ready in a short amount of time. Before the new assessments start, a lot of schools may need to get new computers, tablets, internet bandwidth, and other equipment. Districts will have to pay for these upgrades on their own, which could be hard on some of them.

Administrators also want to know more about how long each test session will run and how many days will be needed for field testing. Planning for the next school year is harder without this information.

Debate About the Need for Tests with High Stakes

Some people who support education wonder if the state should spend so much money on a new testing system when the federal government has made testing less strict in the past few years. They say that adaptive testing can be helpful for checking progress every three months, but it might not be the ideal choice for high-stakes tests that only happen once a year. Some people are worried that adaptive tests might take longer for some pupils, especially those who start off with mixed results and need time to get used to the test.

People are also surprised that the NJGPA needs to be changed because New Jersey is one of the few states that still requires a graduating exit exam. Some people say that the state should use its education funding on other important things instead.

Looking Ahead

The Class of 2026 will still take the present edition of the NJGPA this fall. The adaptive format will come later. This year’s field exams will help make the new system better, but many school officials think that a longer transition time would lower the chance of problems and make the new assessments more like the ones children are used to.

Schools are already dealing with a lot of problems, like not having enough staff and having to change their curriculum. It is yet unclear if the new adaptive assessments will make it easier to assess students or make it much harder.

Sources:

• New Jersey Department of Education
• New Jersey Education Association
• New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association
• Cambium Assessment