The New Jersey State School Board passed a resolution today to revise the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Several of the new changes were initially presented to the Board last April. Included in this resolution were key aspects of the proven Science of Reading model, which utilizes the five pillars of reading as articulated by the National Reading Panel: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Currently, New Jersey continues to represent a minority of States that has made no substantive changes in education related to structured literacy and the science of reading in recent years.

At last month’s State School Board Meeting, JerseyCAN’s Executive Director Paula White demanded, during its public comment period, that they adopt better standards in teaching literacy statewide.

The following is a statement from Ms. White:

“We are thrilled with today’s decision by the New Jersey State School Board and grateful for the time and effort they took in delving more deeply into the Science of Reading and reflecting this in the update of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

“Drawing attention back to the structure of the English language is the right thing to do for kids. Without a strong grasp of how to apply decoding skills to texts, many students will never know the joy of curling up with a book about their own heritage or their favorite hobby, nor will they be able to access content in subject areas that serve as a gateway to various professions and trades.

“JerseyCAN will continue to support efforts and initiatives that prioritize the acquisition of grade-level literacy, given the mammoth implications of literacy for academic success and overall well-being.

“While there is still significant work to accomplish, specifically with regard to student literacy screenings, high-quality curriculum, investments in teacher development, and parent engagement, today’s news is a positive, critical step. JerseyCAN commends the State Board for showing a willingness to create needed change that ensures every child in our state is provided with the strongest possible public education.”

Last spring, JerseyCAN launched the New Jersey Legacy of Literacy Coalition (NJLL), an aggressive statewide marketing and legislative campaign aimed at influencing Governor Phil Murphy, the New Jersey State Legislature, and the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to adopt a high-quality statewide plan that addresses literacy in every public school in the state. Over the Summer, it released a Report detailing the significant decline in reading outcomes in New Jersey and showcased the importance of adopting the Science of Reading principles.