The business community also provided input during focus group sessions and regional meetings held at various locations throughout the state . Because no single group has a larger interest in a child's education than parents, the Department of Education invited and encouraged parental involvement in standards setting. About 15 percent of the individuals who served on the working groups represented parent groups. Also, parents were encouraged to attend the focus group sessions and regional meetings that were held in various parts of the state. In October 1995, over one million summaries of the standards were distributed to parents and other citizens through a Sunday newspaper supplement.
High standards are achievable by virtually all New Jersey students.
Students need to achieve these standards if they are to lead productive lives as adults in the 21st century. Students can achieve these standards if educators and parents develop schools in which learning is both possible and expected. For students with profound learning disabilities, these standards will not be applicable or, if applicable, not fully achievable. Such students will strive either to achieve basic living skills or modified levels of the standards as directed by their Individual Education Plan. After field testing in spring 1997, the new grade 4 ESPA will be administered for the first time in May 1998.