Department of Education testing results are in
By: Joseph Harvie
Test scores for South Brunswick School District students went up in almost all areas, according to the state Department of Education School Reports Cards, which were issued Feb. 7.
The report, which is released annually, provides information on schools performance on standardized tests, class size, student faculty ratio, faculty salaries and enrollment. Each category is compared with state averages.
The report cards show that fewer third grade students taking the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge test were partially proficient in the language arts section last year than the were the year before.
According to the report, 10.6 percent of third grade students were partially proficient as compared to the 12.6 percent in 2004-2005.
However, the number of advanced students dropped in 2005-2006 to 5.8 percent as compared to the 6.9 percent in 2004-2005. The number of students who were proficient in language arts increased to 83.5 percent in 2005-2006 from 80.5 percent in 2004-2005.
Math scores for third-graders improved across the board, according to the report. The number of partially proficient students dropped to 6 percent in 2005-2006 from 9.3 percent the previous year. Proficient students rose to 49.8 percent in 2005-2006 from 47.5 percent in 2004-2005, and the percent of advanced proficient students rose to 44.3 percent in 2005-2006 from 43.2 percent in 2004-2005.
Fourth-graders taking the NJASK test saw a decrease in proficiency in language arts, according to the report. About 13.5 percent of the students tested in 2005-2006 were partially proficient, up from 11.3 percent in 2004-2005. The percent of students who were proficient decreased to 82.2 percent in 2005-2006 from 82.3 percent in 2004-2005. In addition, the percent of students who were advanced proficient decreased to 4.3 percent in 2005-2006 from 6.4 percent in 2004-2005.
Fourth-graders improved in the math section, with the number of partially proficient students staying steady at 11 percent, according to the report. The percent of students who were proficient dropped to 37.7 percent from 47.4 percent in 2004-2005. The percent of students who were advanced in the math portion increased to 51.3 percent last year from 41.6 percent in 2004-2005.
Fourth grade science scores also improved with the percent of students who were partially proficient dropping to 10.6 percent last year from 11.3 percent in 2004-2005. The percent of proficient students decreased to 56 percent last year from 66.8 percent in 2004-2005. However, the number of advanced students increased to 33.3 percent from 66.8 percent in 2004-2005.
The district also saw increased scores from students taking the Grade Eighth Proficiency Test. The percent of students partially proficient in the language arts section decreased to 9.8 percent last year from 11.7 percent in 2004-2005. The percent of proficient students increased to 74.8 percent last year from 74.2 in 2004-2005 and the percent of advanced students increased to 15.4 percent last year from 14.1 percent in 2004-2005.
In the math section the percent of partially proficient students decreased to 18.6 percent from 25 percent the year before. In addition, the percent of proficient students increased to 52 percent last year from 47.8 percent the previous year, and the number of advanced students increased to 29.4 percent last year from 27.2 percent in 2004-2005.
In the science section, the percent of partially proficient students dropped to 10.3 percent last year from 13.4 percent the previous year. In addition, the percent of proficient students increased to 66.7 percent last year from 57.4 percent in 2004-2005. However, the percent of advanced students decreased to 23 percent last year from 29.2 percent in 2004-2005.
In addition, students taking the High School Proficiency Assessment also saw increased scores last year in both sections of the test. In the language arts section only 5.5 percent scored partially proficient a decrease from 7.4 percent in 2004-2005. The percentage of students with proficient scores dropped to 58.1 percent last year from 61.8 percent last year. However, the percentage of advanced students increased to 36.4 percent last year from 30.8 percent the previous year.
In the math section the percent of students who scored partially proficient decreased to 10 percent last year from 14.2 percent the previous year. The percent of proficient students also increased, to 48 percent last year from 41.7 percent the previous year. However, the percent of advanced students decreased to 42 percent last year from 44.1 percent the year before.
Also at the high school level, students taking the SAT saw an increase in average math scores but a decrease in average language arts scores. Average math scores for the 444 students taking the SAT was 559 last year, up from 552 in 2004-2005. However language arts scores decreased to 524 last year from 532 in 2004-2005.
In addition, in the first year the essay section was given, the average score of South Brunswick Students was 39 points higher than the state average. Students’ average scores were 532 while the state average was 493, according to the report.
Here is a school by school break down of the test scores:
Brooks Crossing School
Third-grade Language Arts: 137 students tested, 10.9 percent partially proficient, 81.8 percent proficient and 7.3 percent advanced. Third grade math: 138 tested, 7.2 percent partially proficient, 40.6 proficient and 52.2 percent advanced
Fourth grade Language Arts: 149 tested, 9.4 percent partially proficient, 54.4 percent proficient and 36.2 percent advanced. Fourth grade math: 149 tested, 9.4 percent partially proficient, 54.4 percent proficient and 36.2 percent advanced. Fourth grade science: 149 tested, 9.4 percent partially proficient, 54.4 percent proficient and 36.2 percent advanced.
Fifth grade language arts: 148 tested, 3.4 percent partially proficient, 78.4 percent proficient and 18.2 percent advanced. Fifth grade math: 148 tested, 3.4 percent partially proficient, 41.9 percent proficient and 54.7 percent advanced.
Brunswick Acres School
Third grade language arts: 90 tested, 11.1 percent partially proficient, 84.4 percent proficient and 4.4 percent advanced. Third grade math: 91 tested, 7.7 percent partially proficient, 61.5 percent proficient and 30.8 percent advanced.
Fourth grade language arts: 91 tested, 13.2 partially proficient, 85.7 percent proficient and 1.1 percent advanced. Fourth grade math: 91 tested, 7.7 percent partially proficient, 36.3 percent proficient and 56 percent advanced. Fourth grade science: 91 tested, 5.5 percent partially proficient, 59.3 percent proficient and 35.2 percent advanced.
Fifth grade language arts: 81 tested, 6.2 percent partially proficient, 81.5 percent proficient and 12.3 percent advanced. Fifth grade math: 80 tested, 8.8 percent partially proficient, 52.5 percent proficient and 38.8 percent advanced.
Cambridge School
Third grade language arts: 92 tested, 10.9 percent partially proficient, 84.8 percent proficient and 4.3 percent advanced. Third grade math: 92 tested, 2.2 percent partially proficient, 47.8 percent proficient and 50 percent advanced.
Fourth grade language arts: 106 tested, 3.8 percent partially proficient, 89.6 percent proficient and 6.6 percent advanced. Fourth grade math: 106 tested, 4.7 percent partially proficient, 34 percent proficient and 61.3 percent advanced. Fourth grade science: 106 tested, 7.5 percent partially proficient, 55.7 percent proficient and 36.8 percent advanced.
Fifth grade language arts: 99 tested, 3 percent partially proficient, 84.8 percent proficient and 12.1 percent advanced. Fifth grade math: 99 tested, 7.1 percent partially proficient, 52.5 percent proficient and 40.4 percent advanced.
Constable School
Third grade language arts: 59 tested, 13.6 percent partially proficient, 81.4 percent proficient and 5.1 percent advanced. Third grade math: 59 tested, 5.1 percent partially proficient, 45.8 percent proficient and 49.2 percent advanced.
Fourth grade language arts: 59 tested, 11.9 percent partially proficient, 33.9 percent proficient and 3.4 percent advanced. Fourth grade math: 59 tested, 5.1 percent partially proficient, 33.9 percent proficient and 61 percent advanced. Fourth grade science: 59 tested, 6.8 percent partially proficient, 42.4 percent proficient and 50.8 percent advanced.
Fifth grade language arts: 55 tested, 3.6 percent partially proficient, 83.6 percent proficient and 12.7 percent advanced. Fifth grade math: 55 tested, 3.6 percent partially proficient, 34.5 percent proficient and 61.8 percent advanced.
Greenbrook School
Third grade language arts: 82 tested, 8.5 percent partially proficient, 80.5 percent proficient and 11 percent advanced. Third grade math: 83 tested, 6 percent partially proficient, 43.4 percent proficient and 50.6 percent advanced.
Fourth grade language arts: 75 tested, 17.3 percent partially proficient, 77.3 percent proficient and 5.3 percent advanced. Fourth grade math: 75 tested, 14.7 percent partially proficient, 46.7 percent proficient and 38.7 percent advanced. Fourth grade science: 75 tested, 17.3 percent partially proficient, 62.7 percent proficient and 20 percent advanced.
Fifth grade language arts: 56 tested, 3.6 percent partially proficient, 76.8 percent proficient and 19.6 percent advanced. Fifth grade math: 56 tested, 1.8 percent partially proficient, 41.1 percent proficient and 57.1 percent advanced.
Indian Fields School
Third grade language arts: 137 tested, 9.5 percent partially proficient, 86.9 percent proficient and 3.6 percent advanced. Third grade math: 137 tested, 6.6 percent partially proficient, 60.6 percent proficient and 32.8 percent advanced.
Fourth grade language arts: 145 tested, 16.6 percent partially proficient, 77.2 percent proficient and 6.2 percent advanced. Fourth grade math: 147 tested, 20.4 percent partially proficient, 40.8 percent proficient and 38.8 percent advanced. Fourth grade science: 147 tested, 13.6 percent partially proficient, 58.5 percent proficient and 27.9 percent advanced.
Fifth grade language arts: 133 tested, 3 percent partially proficient, 78.9 percent proficient and 18 percent advanced. Fifth grade math: 134 tested, 8.2 percent partially proficient, 50 percent proficient and 41.8 percent advanced.
Monmouth Junction School
Third grade language arts: 71 tested, 11.3 percent partially proficient, 83.1 percent proficient and 5.6 percent advanced. Third grade math: 71 tested, 5.6 percent partially proficient, 45.1 percent proficient and 49.3 percent advanced.
Fourth grade language arts: 78 tested, 12.8 percent partially proficient, 83.3 percent proficient and 3.8 percent advanced. Fourth grade math: 78 tested, 11.5 percent partially proficient, 37.2 percent proficient and 51.3 percent advanced. Fourth grade science: 78 tested, 14.1 percent partially proficient, 55.1 percent proficient and 30.8 percent advanced.
Fifth grade language arts: 71 tested, 4.2 percent partially proficient, 76.1 percent proficient and 19.7 percent advanced. Fifth grade math: 71 tested, 4.2 percent partially proficient, 54.9 percent proficient and 40.8 percent advanced.
Crossroads North
Sixth grade language arts: 299 tested, 8.7 percent partially proficient, 70.6 percent proficient and 20.7 percent advanced. Sixth grade math: 299 tested, 20.4 percent partially proficient, 49.5 percent proficient and 30.1 percent advanced.
Seventh grade language arts: 304 tested, 3.9 percent partially proficient, 75 percent proficient and, 21.1 percent advanced. Seventh grade math: 304 tested, 17.1 percent partially proficient, 61.2 percent proficient and 21.7 percent advanced.
Eight grade language arts: 254 tested, 9.8 percent partially proficient, 74.4 percent proficient and 15.7 percent advanced. Eighth grade math: 253 tested, 20.2 percent partially proficient, 55.3 percent proficient and 24.5 percent advanced. Eighth grade science: 254 tested, 9.8 percent partially proficient, 64.2 percent proficient and 26 percent advanced.
Crossroads South
Sixth grade language arts: 409 tested, 7.1 percent partially proficient, 71.6 percent proficient and 21.3 percent advanced. Sixth grade math: 411 tested, 10.7 percent partially proficient, 57.7 percent proficient and 31.6 percent advanced.
Seventh grade language arts: 358 tested, 5.3 percent partially proficient, 71.8 percent proficient and 22.9 percent advanced. Seventh grade math: 259 tested, 17 percent partially proficient, 51.5 percent proficient and 31.5 percent advanced.
Eight grade language arts: 421 tested, 9.7 percent partially proficient, 75.1 percent proficient and 15.2 percent advanced. Eight grade math: 424 tested, 17.7 percent partially proficient, 50 percent proficient and 32.3 percent advanced. Eighth grade science: 424 tested, 10.6 percent partially proficient, 68.2 percent proficient and 21.2 percent advanced.

