The NJSLA-A Prescription: How to Construct and Instruct the EBSRs and TECRs

Strengthen NJSLA-A prep by designing effective EBSR and TECR items that build students’ evidence-based reading skills.

This workshop provides educators with in-depth training on the design and instructional use of Evidence-Based Selected Responses (EBSRs) and Technology-Enhanced Constructed Responses (TECRs), both essential components of the NJSLA-A-ELA assessments. Participants explore the structure and purpose of these item types, and learn how to create and evaluate them in alignment with the standards and text complexity expectations. The session includes guided practice in identifying appropriate texts, constructing questions and distractors, and utilizing NJSLA-A sample templates. Educators leave with hands-on strategies to enhance student preparation and performance on the NJSLA-A.

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Core Needs Addressed

  • Lack of teacher familiarity with the structure and expectations of EBSR and TECR items.

  • Challenges in aligning classroom instruction with NJSLA-A item design and rigor.

  • Difficulty in selecting and analyzing complex, authentic texts for assessment development.

Key Learnings

  1. Designing Standards-Aligned Assessment Items
    Participants will learn to construct rigorous, standards-based EBSR and TECR questions by analyzing literary and informational texts for vocabulary, structure, and central ideas. Emphasis is placed on writing strong Part A and Part B questions with effective distractors that reflect student misconceptions.

  2. Text Selection and Complexity Analysis
    Educators will gain tools for evaluating text complexity using quantitative and qualitative measures. They will be able to identify and justify the selection of texts that meet NJSLA’s five criteria: complexity, diversity, authenticity, effective pairing, and sensitivity.

  3. Instructional Integration and Practice
    Teachers will practice integrating assessment creation into instruction by aligning NJSLA-A question formats with daily literacy practices. They will engage in collaborative evaluation and revision of EBSR/TECR items, building a repertoire of examples and templates for immediate classroom use.

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The NJSLA-A Prescription: How to Construct and Instruct the EBSRs and TECRs

Strengthen NJSLA-A prep by designing effective EBSR and TECR items that build students’ evidence-based reading skills.

Led by our team of Instructional Strategists

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Last Updated

Apr 15, 2026 2:50 PM

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Designed for School Leaders asking...

How can we strengthen instruction around EBSRs and TECRs to produce measurable gains in student performance on NJSLA-A-ELA assessments?

What instructional practices will ensure students effectively analyze complex texts and respond accurately to evidence-based and technology-enhanced items?

How do we build teacher capacity to design standards-aligned assessment items that improve reading comprehension and overall proficiency outcomes?

This workshop helped me better understand the challenges families face and gave me practical strategies to strengthen communication and engagement. I now feel more confident in building supportive partnerships with families to improve student success.

Jen Soloman

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Delivering Powerful Learning Experiences

As a result of this work

As a result of this work, educators will strengthen their ability to design and implement EBSR and TECR assessment practices aligned to NJSLA-A-ELA expectations, ensuring students are better prepared to analyze complex texts and respond to rigorous item types. Teachers will leave with practical strategies, text selection criteria, item construction techniques, distractor development approaches, and sample templates that support effective instruction and improved student performance on the assessment.

Workshop Description

This workshop provides educators with in-depth training on the design and instructional use of Evidence-Based Selected Responses (EBSRs) and Technology-Enhanced Constructed Responses (TECRs), both essential components of the NJSLA-A-ELA assessments. Participants explore the structure and purpose of these item types, and learn how to create and evaluate them in alignment with the standards and text complexity expectations. The session includes guided practice in identifying appropriate texts, constructing questions and distractors, and utilizing NJSLA-A sample templates. Educators leave with hands-on strategies to enhance student preparation and performance on the NJSLA-A.

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Designed for Today's Schools

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Nationwide

Educators will confidently

Educators will confidently design and use evidence-based selected responses and technology-enhanced constructed responses to better prepare students for NJSLA-A-ELA tasks. This work supports district priorities by building instructional alignment and assessment readiness without narrowing rich, standards-based learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes your workshops different from traditional professional development or other providers?

Our approach goes beyond one-size-fits-all professional development. We hold ourselves to rigorous standards of quality and delivery in every client interaction, ensuring that each experience is meaningful, relevant, and impactful. We don’t just deliver workshops—we build long-term partnerships with schools and districts, working alongside educators to improve instructional practices and student outcomes over time.

We actively listen to educators’ unique contexts and experiences, using that insight to collaboratively design tailored solutions rather than pre-packaged sessions. Our team asks thoughtful questions, challenges assumptions, and continuously learns so we can help redefine what’s possible in teaching and learning.

Above all, we communicate authentically, foster positive and productive relationships, and bring a deep passion and commitment to education. The result is professional learning that feels purposeful, personalized, and truly transformative.

Who are your workshops designed for?

Our workshops are designed for educators and school leaders, including teachers, instructional coaches, school administrators, and district teams. Each session is tailored to the specific audience to ensure content is relevant, practical, and immediately applicable.

What does a typical workshop look like?

Our workshops are interactive, engaging, and grounded in real classroom practice. Each experience is intentionally designed using the principles of andragogy, sound instructional design, and the core constructs of effective professional development to ensure relevance, coherence, and impact. Participants engage in discussion, reflection, planning, and application activities — not just passive listening. Educators leave with concrete strategies and next steps they can implement right away.

How long are your workshops?

We offer flexible formats, including half-day, full-day, and multi-session series. We can also design ongoing professional learning experiences to support sustained implementation over time.

What delivery methods are available for your workshops?

We offer flexible delivery options to meet the needs of schools and districts, including in-person sessions, live virtual workshops, and asynchronous learning through our applied learning platform. Regardless of format, all experiences are designed to be interactive, engaging, and collaborative, with structures that promote meaningful participation and application of learning.

What kind of follow-up support is available?

We believe professional learning is most effective when it’s sustained. In addition to workshops, we offer instructional coaching, implementation planning, and follow-up sessions to help teams translate learning into practice and drive meaningful results.

Who facilitates the workshops?

Inspired Instruction’s workshops are facilitated by a nationwide team of expert Instructional Strategists.  Our facilitators bring diverse experience as classroom educators, instructional coaches, principals, directors, and superintendents, spanning all content areas. We thoughtfully match your specific needs with a facilitator whose expertise aligns to ensure the learning experience is relevant, practical, and impactful for your staff.

How much does it cost to bring a workshop to my school or district?

We offer a range of pricing options designed to meet the needs of different schools and districts. Our Client Directors work closely with you to understand your goals, scope, and budget, and will partner with you to design a high-quality professional learning experience that fits within your financial framework.

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