N.J. adopts tougher math, language standards

The New Jersey Board of Education yesterday adopted tougher achievement standards for the state math and language-arts tests that third and fourth graders take.

The tests, first administered this year, are more challenging than previous versions. Higher performance standards were put in place for grades five through eight last year.

The standards are "raising the bar" on performance expectations, Education Commissioner Lucille Davy said. She predicted that more children who need help would be identified at a younger age.

All the new tests have not yet been graded, Davy said, but a sample of results provided by the state showed 24 percent fewer third graders and more than 19 percent fewer fourth graders scoring proficient or better on the language-arts tests. In math, almost 12 percent fewer third graders and nearly 11 percent fewer fourth graders scored proficient or better. Davy attributed those results to the higher standards and the new tests. -Rita Giordano