East Brunswick Public Schools, located in East Brunswick, New Jersey, is a comprehensive public school district serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district is committed to providing exceptional educational opportunities that prepare students for success in college, careers, and citizenship. It consists of eight primary elementary schools, an upper elementary school, a junior high school, and a high school, each offering a diverse range of academic, extracurricular, and athletic programs to meet the needs and interests of our students. Additionally, East Brunswick Public Schools is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment that promotes academic excellence, critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning. East Brunswick Public Schools has adopted the 2023 NJSLS for Mathematics and English Language Arts, fully embracing the updated standards.

New Jersey Student Learning Standards

NJSLS or "New Jersey Student Learning Standards" are the state standards that outline what students are expected to know and be able to do at each grade level in various subjects, including English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. The standards are designed to ensure that all New Jersey students receive a high-quality education and are prepared for college, careers, and citizenship.

According to N.J.A.C. 6A:8-2.1, the Commissioner is mandated to conduct a review and readoption of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) every five years. The English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics standards were last adopted in 2016, initiating the review process in July of 2022.

NJSLS Mathematics

The 2023 NJSLS Mathematics underwent substantial updates led by expert review and writing teams, implementing pivotal changes aimed at enriching the curriculum.

Significantly, the K–5 curriculum underwent a restructuring, separating the 'Measurement and Data' domain into distinct 'Measurement' and 'Data Literacy' domains. This change underscores the early cultivation of data literacy skills, including the ability to pose inquiries, and gather, analyze, interpret, and convey data. Moreover, fresh standards were implemented in the early elementary stages to establish a progression toward solving monetary word problems, ensuring comprehension precedes exposure to specific denominations. The term "fluency" was substituted across the standards, emphasizing accuracy and efficiency over mere speed. Introducing foundational work with radicals in middle school aimed to equip students for advanced mathematical pursuits in high school. Additionally, supplementary standards labeled as "plus" were introduced, emphasizing data literacy and serving as a roadmap for students to engage in data-driven exploration across disciplines such as statistics and data science. These revisions are geared towards fortifying students' mathematical groundwork and enhancing readiness for higher-level concepts.

Here is a link to the technical revisions Crosswalk.

Below are the bulleted changes outlined on the DOE website (page 3):

NJSLS English Language Arts (ELA)

The NJSLS ELA underwent substantial revisions aimed at improving clarity and efficacy. Significant changes were made, such as reinforcing Foundational Reading skills for grades K–5, introducing Foundational Writing expectations, and refining developmental progression. Clearer distinctions between literature and informational texts were emphasized to minimize overlap. Additionally, the standards incorporated elements of digital communication, highlighted multimodal formats, and streamlined Language Strands to minimize repetition. The layout was adjusted to give prominence to the Language Domain, while ELA Practices were introduced to bolster literacy development. Furthermore, the standards underscored scaffolding techniques, support for multilingual learners, and culturally responsive practices, while maintaining the Speaking and Listening domain unchanged.

Here is a link to the technical revisions Crosswalk.

Below are the bulleted changes outlined on the DOE website (page 3):

Conclusion

Rigorous standards support student learning by establishing elevated expectations and offering a well-defined pathway to academic accomplishment. They serve as a framework for educational excellence, fostering the development of essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for success both within the classroom and in broader life contexts. In essence, revising the NJSLS contributes to ensuring that New Jersey students are provided with a high-quality education that positions them for future success equipped with the tools and abilities needed to thrive in a forever-evolving global landscape.