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Learning Standards Standards

What does a student learn in ?

New Jersey writes its own standards for every subject and revises them on a rolling cycle, with math and reading refreshed most recently in 2023. The state treats the standards as a single system rather than a patchwork, so subjects like computer science, world languages, and social-emotional learning sit alongside the academic core. Each subject points back to a national anchor, but the language and grade-band expectations are New Jersey's own.

  • New Jersey DOE — NJ Student Learning Standards: Visual and Performing Arts
  • New Jersey DOE — NJ Student Learning Standards: Career Readiness, Life Literacies, and Key Skills
  • New Jersey DOE — NJ Student Learning Standards: Computer Science and Design Thinking
  • New Jersey DOE — NJ Student Learning Standards: Comprehensive Health and PE
  • New Jersey DOE — NJ Student Learning Standards: Comprehensive Health and PE (PE)
  • New Jersey Department of Education — SEL (CASEL-aligned)
  • New Jersey Department of Education — World Languages (ACTFL-aligned)
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 New Jersey Student Learning Standards, with math moving from elementary number sense into a traditional high school sequence. Science is built on the Next Generation Science Standards, taught as something students investigate rather than memorize. Social studies runs as a K-12 sequence ending in civics and economics, and every student also works through standards in the arts, health and PE, and career readiness.
How students are measured
The NJSLA is the spring test that matters most. Students in grades 3 through 9 sit for reading and math, and students in grades 5, 8, and 11 add a science section tied to NGSS. Eleventh graders also take the NJ Graduation Proficiency Assessment in reading and math, which factors into earning a diploma. NAEP samples a smaller group of fourth, eighth, and twelfth graders every other winter for national comparison.
Frameworks adopted, by subject
The standards documents the state writes against in each subject.
Subject Framework Adopted Source
English Language Arts
New Jersey Student Learning Standards
2023View
Mathematics
New Jersey Student Learning Standards
2023View
Science
New Jersey Student Learning Standards
2020View
Social Studies
New Jersey Student Learning Standards
2020View
Computer Science & Digital Fluency
New Jersey DOE — NJ Student Learning Standards: Computer Science and Design ThinkingK-12 CS Framework-aligned
2016View
Arts: Visual Arts
New Jersey DOE — NJ Student Learning Standards: Visual and Performing ArtsNCAS-aligned
2014View
Arts: Dance
New Jersey DOE — NJ Student Learning Standards: Visual and Performing ArtsNCAS-aligned
2014View
Arts: Media Arts
New Jersey DOE — NJ Student Learning Standards: Visual and Performing ArtsNCAS-aligned
2014View
Arts: Music
New Jersey DOE — NJ Student Learning Standards: Visual and Performing ArtsNCAS-aligned
2014View
Arts: Theatre
New Jersey DOE — NJ Student Learning Standards: Visual and Performing ArtsNCAS-aligned
2014View
World Languages
New Jersey Department of Education — World Languages (ACTFL-aligned)ACTFL-aligned
2015View
Physical Education
New Jersey DOE — NJ Student Learning Standards: Comprehensive Health and PE (PE)SHAPE-aligned
2024View
Health Education
New Jersey DOE — NJ Student Learning Standards: Comprehensive Health and PENHES-aligned
2022View
Career Development & Occupational Studies
New Jersey DOE — NJ Student Learning Standards: Career Readiness, Life Literacies, and Key SkillsCCTC-aligned
2012View
Social Emotional Learning
New Jersey Department of Education — SEL (CASEL-aligned)CASEL-aligned
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
15
Grade levels
14
Standards on file
1,835
Assessments tracked
7
Most recent adoption
2024
Common questions
  • Does this state use Common Core?

    Not by that name. The reading, writing, and math standards were rewritten and readopted in 2023 as the NJ Student Learning Standards. They cover the same core skills families recognize from Common Core, with state-specific revisions.

  • What's the spring test, and who takes it?

    The main spring test is the NJSLA. Students in grades 3 through 9 take it in reading and math, and students in grades 5, 8, and 11 also take it in science. In 11th grade, students take the NJGPA in reading and math as part of graduation requirements.

  • Which subjects are required beyond reading and math?

    Schools teach science, social studies, world languages, visual and performing arts, physical education, health, computer science and design thinking, and career readiness. Social emotional learning is also part of the state's framework, aligned to CASEL.

  • How often do the standards get updated?

    The state reviews each subject on its own cycle, usually every five to ten years. Reading and math were last updated in 2023, science in 2020, and health and PE in 2022 and 2024. Older subjects like the arts and career readiness are due for review.

  • Where can families see what students learn each year?

    The grade-level pages on this site list what students are expected to know and do in each subject. Pick a grade and subject to see the specific skills, with everyday examples of what the work looks like.

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

Frameworks

Assessments