Each member of the ADP Network has committed to a common policy agenda, but there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Highlights of this state's action plan are below. Click here to download a PDF of the complete plan.

Policies and Action Steps

1. Align high school standards and assessments with the knowledge and skills required for success after high school. (February 2006–October 2006)
   • Work with higher education and business to endorse ADP benchmarks.
   • Align New Jersey's core curriculum standards to ADP benchmarks.
   • Convene councils of teachers and supervisors of mathematics, language arts and sciences to discuss ADP benchmarks and need for high school reform.
2. Require all high school graduates to take challenging courses that actually prepare them for life after high school. (Spring 2006–2008)
   • Revise high school graduation requirements to include specific rigorous course content at recommendation of DOE.
   • Work with local districts to align curriculum and instruction with revised standards and curriculum.
3. Streamline the assessment system so that the tests students take in high school also can serve as readiness tests for college and work. (2006–2008)
   • Review high school exit exam options that measure college and work readiness, including alternatives to the SRA and options for students who have difficulty passing the current exam.
   • Implement performance-based assessments in all districts.
   • Investigate the use of end-of-course exams and consider using exams as a diploma requirements. Also consider including grades on transcripts and in college placement decisions.
4. Hold high schools accountable for graduating students who are ready for college or careers, and hold postsecondary institutions accountable for students' success once enrolled. (2005–2007)
   • Fully implement EdSmart, the student-level database. Develop policy for sharing EdSmart data with outside organizations. Investigate how to include prekindergarten data in EdSmart and how to share EdSmart data with higher education data systems.
   • Ensure graduation rates are calculated accurately and consistently throughout the state by calculating cohort graduation rate for grades 8 through 12.
   • Help all districts train for and implement programs to use data to improve student achievement by training end-users to use data from EdSmart to improve teaching and learning and developing a snapshot to show individual student performance.

ADP Network Team
Entities responsible for carrying out the New Jersey ADP action plan include: