Colts Neck to distribute 9/11 'Discovering Heroes' books, post classroom libraries and prepare for new state field test

Colts Neck Township School District trustees heard several curriculum and assessment items on Sept. 3, including planned distribution of three Tunnel to Towers 'Discovering Heroes' books, a transparency initiative for classroom libraries, and discussion of the state’s new adaptive NJSLA field test.

Public commenter Alan Ryan urged the district to expand 9/11 programming so students understand the events and sacrifices of Sept. 11. Administrators responded that the district purchased 40 paperback copies of the Tunnel to Towers trilogy and is coordinating a likely guest speaker and assemblies for November.

"We are coordinating a speaker that will likely take place in November of this year as a follow‑up to our existing ceremonies," the administration told the board when summarizing plans for age‑appropriate curricular materials and videos.

Trustees also supported an administrative plan to post teacher classroom‑library inventories in Google Classroom for Conover Road Elementary and Cedar Drive Middle by Sept. 26, with a full primary‑school rollout targeted for fall 2026. Board members said the change increases transparency and gives parents an easy way to review in‑class materials.

On assessments, the board considered adopting SAVIS Envision benchmark assessments for K–5 and discussed reducing Fountas & Pinnell administrations from three times per year to two to better align with instruction and reduce testing burden. A state‑mandated NJSLA adaptive field test in October drew particular attention: trustees emphasized that the fall field test is unscored practice for the new adaptive format, but warned that adaptive items could affect year‑to‑year comparability of results.

"We are very interested in it; the state has given limited information," said a board member. Another trustee cautioned that adaptive formats, if reported differently, could produce misleading comparisons across years.

Administrators said the district will share assessment calendars and a full presentation of results with the board ahead of a planned Oct. 15 assessment presentation. No changes to grading policies were announced; staff will return with specific timelines and teacher‑feedback summaries.

The board did not take final votes on curriculum policy changes at the Sept. 3 session but directed administrators to coordinate the November assembly, post classroom‑library inventories on schedule, and bring a proposed assessment calendar and any necessary policy language back to a future meeting.