On April 29, 2026, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) issued a broadcast announcing the recruitment of educators to serve on the English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics Content Development and Review Committees for the state’s adaptive assessments: the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments-Adaptive (NJSLA-A) and the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment-Adaptive (NJGPA-A). These committees will bring together diverse educators to help ensure that assessments are rigorous, equitable and aligned with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
Committee responsibilities include:
- Passage review (ELA only): Reviewing passages for appropriate content, complexity and alignment with standards prior to item development.
- Item review: Evaluating assessment items for accuracy, alignment with standards and grade-level appropriateness, and accessibility.
- Data review: Analyzing field-test data to determine whether items should be approved, revised or rejected.
- Performance level descriptor (PLD) review: Developing and refining descriptions of what students know and can do at each performance level.
- Standard setting: Reviewing assessment items by difficulty and using PLDs to link student performance to scale scores. Through this process, committee members determine where students demonstrate grade- or course-level proficiency for the NJSLA-A or graduation-ready proficiency for the NJGPA-A and work toward a consensus recommendation for performance thresholds.
Local education agencies and approved private schools are encouraged to nominate educators across grade levels, with an emphasis on diverse representation and assessment expertise, to maintain the quality, integrity and effectiveness of the development process. Participation typically involves three to five consecutive days per activity during the school year or summer, with training provided. Meetings will be held virtually or in person at a central New Jersey location.
School districts of selected participants will receive a $200 stipend to help offset administrative and substitute-teacher costs. Participants who are under contract will be reimbursed for mileage and tolls. Participants who are not under contract or who participate while on personal leave will receive a $200-per-day honorarium, travel reimbursement and professional development hours. Applications are due by May 13, 2026, with rolling consideration thereafter. To be considered, candidates must submit a résumé and an administrator nomination form.
Required forms:
As always, please contact the Professional Development and Instructional Issues (PDII) Division with any questions or requests for support.