Empowering Families: Preparing Students for NJSLA

This workshop provides parents and guardians with a comprehensive overview of the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. It explains the purpose and structure of the assessments, including the types of tasks, performance levels, and content areas covered. The session also equips families with practical strategies to help their children prepare at home—ranging from creating literacy-rich environments to building math fluency and test-taking confidence.

• Lack of understanding among parents about the NJSLA format, expectations, and scoring
  
  
• Limited strategies for families to effectively support test preparation at home
  
  
• Student anxiety and unfamiliarity with standardized testing tools and formats

1. Understanding the NJSLA Framework: Participants will learn the structure, content areas, and scoring system of the NJSLA, including the distinctions between ELA and math tasks and performance levels.
   
   
2. Home Support Strategies: Families will gain actionable techniques to reinforce literacy and math skills at home, such as using released practice tests, building reading habits, encouraging real-world math connections, and fostering problem-solving mindsets.
   
   
3. Test-Readiness and Wellness Practices: Attendees will develop approaches to reduce test anxiety and enhance focus—through time management, mindfulness, positive self-talk, and healthy routines leading up to assessment days.