Assembly Education Panel Advances Bill to Prohibit NJGPA Testing Requirement for Class of 2023
Sponsored by Caputo, Lampitt, Jasey & Jaffer, Graduation Proficiency Test would only be used as a Field Test for Data Collection
 
(TRENTON) – Citing the effects of the pandemic on education for the last two years and its impact on students, who have been coping with high-levels of stress and anxiety, Assembly Democrats Ralph Caputo, Pamela Lampitt, Mila Jasey and Sadaf Jaffer sponsor legislation that would ensure the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment is not a graduation requirement for the class of 2023.

The Assembly Education Committee unanimously advanced the legislation on Thursday. Assembly sponsors Caputo (D-Essex), Lampitt (D-Burlington, Camden), Jasey (D-Essex, Morris) and Jaffer (D-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon) issued the following joint statement:

From mental health concerns to learning delays, our students have been through a lot and what they need now is our support, not the anxiety and stress that comes with taking a new high-stakes assessment test your school career would depend on.

Counting the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment this year will create barriers to graduation for many students who have faced challenges over the last two years. It is unfair and unconscionable to spring a new test on rising seniors and raise the stakes as they are so close to graduation.

Under the bill (A-3196), the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment would be administered to current 11th grade students expected to graduate as part of the class of 2023 as a field-test. Under no circumstances would the assessment be used as a graduation requirement for these students. Instead, results would be used to assist in the development of State graduation proficiency tests for future graduating classes.