New Jersey Assembly Bill A3760

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/2/22
• Refer: 5/2/22

Caption

Exempts certain students from meeting State graduation assessment requirement.

Impact

If enacted, A3760 would have significant implications on state laws surrounding high school graduation requirements. The current laws stipulate that students must pass standardized tests and meet certain conditions to qualify for graduation. A3760 effectively suspends those requirements specifically for the affected graduating classes, allowing students who may have struggled due to pandemic-related challenges a smoother pathway to graduation without the added barrier of proficiency testing.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3760 seeks to amend the existing statutory graduation assessment requirements for high school students in New Jersey, specifically targeting students graduating in the years 2022 and 2023. The bill exempts these students from having to demonstrate mastery of state graduation proficiency standards, thereby altering the conditions under which they can graduate. The primary aim of A3760 is to alleviate educational pressures exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted standard testing and assessment processes for high school students nationwide.

Contention

The bill may raise points of contention among educational stakeholders. Supporters argue that suspending graduation assessments is a necessary response to the unique challenges posed by the pandemic, ensuring that students do not face undue hardship during an already difficult time. However, critics may voice concerns regarding the integrity of educational standards and the implications of lowering proficiency expectations. Educators and policymakers will need to address these differing views as the conversation around equitable education continues.