Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz issued the following statement on the release of the 2022 Student Learning Assessment results:
With 51.1% of students not meeting grade expectations in English Language Arts and 64.6% not meeting expectations in mathematics, the 2022 Student Learning Assessments test scores released by the state today are a jarring alarm to the work that lies ahead. In addition to this, it is devastating to see the persistence of the achievement gap. This gap existed before the pandemic and the negative impacts of the pandemic have led to widen it. These assessments continue to be an important tool to provide the state and school districts with the data on where resources and greater efforts need to be made to ensure every student in New Jersey is given a fair chance to succeed. In order to rectify this inequity, the state must continue to invest in our children and adopt best practices statewide. I look forward to continuing to advocate for the children of New Jersey and pass legislation that makes tangible differences in their lives.