Math & reading standards and testing in New Jersey
Updated June 2026
New Jersey's Student Learning Standards are based on the Common Core, with some state revisions. Students in grades 3-9 take the NJSLA each spring in ELA and math.
Does New Jersey hold kids back in 3rd grade for reading?
No. New Jersey has no 3rd-grade retention gate; promotion is local.
Standards
New Jersey Student Learning Standards
Aligned to the Common Core State Standards, so grade-level skills match what most of the country teaches.
The key test
The New Jersey state test
NJSLA covers both math and reading in grades 3-9.
Reading the results
Spring.
Levels 1 to 4; Levels 3 to 4 are met/exceeded expectations.
On grade level means Level 3 (Met Expectations) or Level 4 on NJSLA ELA.
What's distinctive about New Jersey
New Jersey is moving the NJSLA toward an adaptive format while keeping its four-level scale.
Practice the skills, by grade
Whatever New Jersey calls its test, the underlying math and reading skills are grade-level. Practice them directly:
Practice the skills behind the test
KangarooKiddo gives short, daily, grade-aligned math and reading practice mapped to Common Core, in sessions kids come back to. Honest progress for you, rewards they earn.
Source: New Jersey Department of Education. Verified for the 2025-26 school year; policies can change, so confirm with your school.
Nearby states: Connecticut · Maine · Massachusetts · New Hampshire
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