State testing changes prompt Haddonfield to propose calendar tweak to avoid stacked exams

District leaders told the board that the state has announced a new adaptive testing platform for NJSLA and NJGPA assessments and that immediate changes to the district calendar and teacher training are likely.

An administrator briefing said the state will field‑test the new platform Oct. 27–Nov. 14 for certain high‑school grades and that the NJGPA window for grade 11 will be March 16–20. The presentation described the platform change as coming quickly after a vendor contract transition and said it will require training for teachers and technology staff; presenters said there is no separate state funding for district training on the new assessment platform.

Because the grade‑11 NJGPA window falls in mid‑March, the district recommended moving a currently scheduled two‑hour delayed opening away from March 16 so the district does not have to administer multiple long test sections in one day. Staff said alternative options include stacking two sections a day for students (the less desirable option for this particular high‑stakes graduation assessment) or moving the delayed start to a different date to preserve testing windows and avoid Friday testing.

Why it matters: the NJGPA is the state‑required graduation assessment for grade 11; changes to testing software and windows affect classroom schedules, teacher training plans and the district calendar.

Administrators said they are preparing a revised calendar to present to the board and that the district will need to train staff and rehearse the new testing platform ahead of field testing. The presentation flagged logistical concerns about field‑testing dates that fall immediately after fall break and about the need to rehearse the new software with Pearson/Cambium platform personnel and local technology staff.

Ending: Staff said they will return with a revised calendar recommendation and a proposed training schedule for teachers and tech staff before field testing begins.