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Learning Standards Standards

What does a student learn in ?

New Jersey writes its own learning standards rather than adopting national ones outright, and revises them subject by subject on a rolling cycle. The math and reading standards were refreshed in 2023, with science and social studies updated a few years earlier. The result is a single coherent set of expectations from kindergarten through high school, all branded as the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

  • NJSLS: ELA
  • NJSLS: Math
  • NJSLS: Science (NGSS)
  • NJSLS: Social Studies
Source: New Jersey New Jersey Student Learning Standards
The shape of K-12
A plain-language read of how the state runs school.
What students learn
Math and reading follow the 2023 state standards from the early grades through high school, with the math sequence opening into algebra and geometry once students reach middle school. Science is built on the Next Generation Science Standards, taught as something students figure out through investigation rather than memorize from a textbook. Social studies runs as a full K-12 sequence ending in civics and US history.
How students are measured
The NJSLA is the spring test that anchors the system. Students in grades 3 through 9 sit for reading and math each year, and science is tested in grades 5, 8, and 11. Juniors also take the NJ Graduation Proficiency Assessment, which they need to pass in reading and math to earn a diploma. A sample of fourth and eighth graders also take the NAEP every couple of years, which lets the state compare itself to the rest of the country.
Frameworks adopted, by subject
The standards documents the state writes against in each subject.
Subject Framework Adopted Source
Mathematics
New Jersey Student Learning Standards
2023View
English Language Arts
New Jersey Student Learning Standards
2023View
Science
New Jersey Student Learning Standards
2020View
Social Studies
New Jersey Student Learning Standards
2020View
Assessments
The tests students take across K-12, grouped by purpose.

Other

Tests that do not fit the buckets above.

State Summative

NJSLA: ELA/Literacy (Grades 3-9)

New Jersey's spring summative test in reading and writing for grades 3 through 9, aligned to the NJ Student Learning Standards for ELA.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

NJSLA: Mathematics (Grades 3-9)

New Jersey's spring summative math test for grades 3 through 9, aligned to the NJ Student Learning Standards for Math.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

NJSLA: Science (Grade 5)

Science assessment in grade 5, aligned to the NJ Student Learning Standards for Science (NGSS).

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

NJSLA: Science (Grade 8)

Science assessment in grade 8, aligned to the NJ Student Learning Standards for Science (NGSS).

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

NJSLA: Science (Grade 11)

Science assessment in grade 11, aligned to the NJ Student Learning Standards for Science (NGSS).

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

NJ Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA)

Graduation proficiency assessment in ELA and math, taken in 11th grade as part of New Jersey's graduation requirements.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
National Monitoring

NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress)

Federally administered sample-based assessment in reading, mathematics, science, and writing. NAEP results inform state-by-state comparisons rather than individual student or school accountability.

When given:
biennial in winter
Frequency:
every two years
Official source
Browse by grade and subject
Pick a cell to see exactly what students learn that year.
Subjects covered
4
Grade levels
13
Standards on file
982
Assessments tracked
7
Most recent adoption
2023
Common questions
  • What is the NJSLA, and who takes it?

    The NJSLA is the spring state test. Students in grades 3 through 9 take the reading and math sections. Students take a science section in grades 5, 8, and 11.

  • Do students have to pass a test to graduate?

    Yes. Eleventh graders take the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment in reading and math. It is part of the state's graduation requirements.

  • Does New Jersey still use Common Core?

    No, not by that name. The state writes its own learning standards, which cover reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. The math and reading standards were last revised in 2023, and the science standards follow the Next Generation Science Standards.

  • How often do the standards change?

    The state reviews each subject on its own cycle, usually every five to ten years. Reading and math were updated in 2023. Science and social studies were updated in 2020.

  • Where can I see what students learn each year?

    Pick a grade and subject on this page. Each one opens to the specific skills students work on that year, with the standard codes the state uses.

Sources
Every page link goes back to the state's own document.

Frameworks

Assessments