This bill proposes the elimination of the high school graduation proficiency test in New Jersey, which is currently mandated for 11th-grade students. It prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring satisfactory performance on any statewide proficiency test as part of the graduation standards. The bill amends existing laws to remove references to the proficiency test, including its requirement for graduation, the necessity for out-of-school youth or adults to pass the test to receive a state-endorsed diploma, and the inclusion of test results in school district report cards. Additionally, it clarifies that participation in the State Seal of Biliteracy program does not require taking the proficiency test.

Furthermore, the bill repeals sections of law that mandate the administration of the graduation proficiency test to 11th and certain 12th-grade students, as well as the requirement for the Commissioner of Education to consult with various stakeholders during the test's development. It also removes the obligation for the commissioner and the Joint Committee on the Public Schools to review and report on performance related to the proficiency test. Overall, the bill aims to streamline graduation requirements and remove standardized testing as a barrier to obtaining a high school diploma.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:7C-1, 18A:7C-2, 18A:7C-4, 18A:7C-15, 18A:7E-3, 18A:36C-10