Adaptive Testing Rollout Stirs Déjà Vu for Local BOE Member

As previously reported, NJ21st cc’d various Boards of Education within the 21st on our emails to state and federal representatives on our concerns about the sudden changes connected to the Adaptive Testing rollout announced by the NJ DOE in August.

Berkeley Heights Board of Education member Sai Akiri responded with a parallel to another top-down sudden change — the end of Common Core:

“This roll out reminds me [of] the Common Core phase out by NJ DOE. New Jersey officially phased out the Common Core State Standards in 2016. After a year-long review ordered by then-Governor Chris Christie, the state revised the standards and renamed all nine content areas the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS). The new standards took effect in the 2017-2018 school year.”

Back in 2016, the switch away from Common Core left schools scrambling to realign curriculum and testing expectations. With adaptive testing, critics worry the state may be repeating the same pattern — moving ahead before ensuring the system meets federal comparability requirements or gives families clarity that inspires confidence.

Districts were asked to adjust quickly to a major change coming from Trenton — armed with little federal guidance and a host of unanswered questions.

Akiri’s comments capture what many parents, teachers, and community members are feeling: déjà vu. Another big shift — another wave of uncertainty. Once again, local districts are left scrambling to figure out what it all means for students in real classrooms.

As of 09/03/2025, we are aware of no new updates. The fall adaptive field test remains slated to run October 27 through November 14. No results will be reported, with the first full, scored version of the test set for spring 2026.

Questions we raised in our emails on comparability, subgroup reporting, transparency, and whether the rollout meets federal ESSA requirements remain unanswered.

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