N.J. report cards give student measurement data

Beacon area schools included

By Ruth Luse, Managing Editor
   The New Jersey Department of Education recently released its 2008 school report cards and statewide assessment reports. The report cards contain detailed statistical profiles of all public schools in the state in the areas of school environment, student information, student performance indicators, staff information, and district/charter financial information.
   ”With our state and nation facing such a severe economic downturn, we have an increased mandate to provide accountability for every dollar we spend on education,” stated Commissioner of Education Lucille E. Davy in a release announcing the release of the data.
   ”The purpose of these reports is to enable members of the public to measure the progress of their local schools through the individual report cards and the trend information in the assessment summary,” Ms. Davy stated.
   The report cards, established by legislation in 1995, are produced for all elementary and secondary schools, as well as vocational schools, special education schools, charter schools, and Special Services School Districts.
   The assessments measure student “language arts” and math proficiency, and in some cases, science proficiency. For the four school districts in The Beacon area, the report says:
   • South Hunterdon Regional High School (grades seven-12) — Of those taking the HSPA (New Jersey High School Proficiency Assessment), 88.6 percent was proficient in language arts (22.6 was “advanced proficient”) and 79.3 percent was proficient in math (32.1 percent advanced proficient) in the 2008 assessment. For language arts, the state average, including the “advanced proficient” average, is 83.4 percent. For math, the state proficient average is 75.4 percent.
   According to a state Web site, the HSPA is a state test given to students in 11th grade to measure whether they have gained the knowledge and skills identified in the Core Curriculum Content Standards. These standards, adopted by the State Board of Education, identify what students should know and be able to do at the end of various benchmark years. The test “will help determine whether a child is making satisfactory progress toward mastering the skills he or she will need to graduate from high school. Students must pass the HSPA as a graduation requirement.
   — Of the 53 seventh-graders taking New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJASK7), a new test given in spring 2008, 81.8 percent were proficient (24.4 percent, advanced proficient) in language arts literacy. The state average is 70.5 percent. Of those taking this test in math, 67.9 percent was proficient (30.2 percent advanced proficient). The state average is 64.5 percent.
   — Of the 52 eighth-graders taking NJASK8 in language arts, 88.5 percent were proficient (15.4, advanced proficient). The state average is 81.4 percent. In math, 69.3 were proficient (21.2, advanced proficient. The state average is 67.7 percent.
   — Eighth graders also took a science test. 88.5 percent were proficient (38,5 advanced proficient). The state average is 84.2.
   — For the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), the average score in math was 526 (state, 514). The average score for verbal was 525 (state, 492). And the average score for essay, 504 (state, 494). A perfect SAT score is 2,400.
   • Stockton Public School — According to the state report, only fifth-graders took the NJASK test (new in spring 2008). Of the 11 fifth-graders taking the language arts literacy test, 72.7 percent were proficient (none advanced).. The state average is 55.9 percent. Of the 11 children taking the math test, 100 percent were proficient (63.6 percent, “advanced proficient.”). The state average is 76.6 percent.
   • West Amwell Township Elementary School — Children in grades three-six took NJASK tests, but the tests for those in fifth and sixth grades were new in spring 2008.
   —. Of the 35 third-graders who took the language arts literacy test, 88.6 percent were proficient (8,6 percent were advanced proficient). The state average is 86.1. Of the 35 children who took the math test, 94.3 were proficient (42.9, advanced proficient). The state average is 86.8 percent.
   — Forty-six fourth-graders took tests in language arts, math and science. Of the 46 taking the language test, 93.5 percent were proficient (2.2 percent, advanced proficient). The state average was 82.7 percent. In the math test, 95.7 were proficient (45.7, advanced proficient). The state average was 84.9 percent. In the science test, 100 percent were proficient (54.3, advance proficient). The state average was 85.1 percent.
   — Of the 36 fifth-graders who took the language arts test, 91.6 were proficient (19.4, advanced proficient). The state average is 60 percent,. Of the 36 taking the math test, 97.3 percent were proficient (66.7, advanced proficient)(. The state average was 76.6 percent.
   — Of the 34 sixth-graders taking the language test, 76.5 percent were proficient (none, advanced proficient). The state average is 57.3 percent. Of the 33 sixth-graders taking the math test, 97 percent were proficient (39.4, advance proficient). The state average was 72.2 percent.
   • Lambertville Public School — Children in grades three-six took NJASK tests, but the tests for those in fifth and sixth grades were new in spring 2008.
   — Of the 26 third-graders who took the language test, 96.2 percent were proficient. The state average was 86.1 percent. Of the 26 taking the mast test, 96.1 percent were proficient (26.9, advanced proficient). The state average was 86.1 percent.
   — Forth-graders took tests in language, math and science.
   Of the 21 fourth-graders who took the language test, 90.5 percent were proficient (4.8, advanced proficient). The state average was 82.7 percent. Of the 22 who took the math test, 90.0 percent were proficient (31.8, advanced). The state average was 84.9 percent. Of the 22 who took the science test, 77.3 percent were proficient (40.9, advanced). The state average was 85.1 percent.
   — Of the 17 fifth-graders taking the language test, 64.7 percent were proficient (none, advanced). The state average was 60 percent. Of the 17 taking the math testy, 76.5 percent were proficient (41.2, advanced). The state average was 76.6.
   — Of the 20 sixth-graders taking the language test, 55 percent were proficient (10 percent, advanced). The state average is 57.3 percent. Of the 20 children taking the math test, 85 percent were proficient (20 percent, advanced). The state avenge was 72.2 percent.
   The school report card is on the education department’s Web site at http://education.state.nj.us/rc/. The statewide assessment reports are on the department’s Web site at http://www.nj.gov/education/schools/achievement/2009/.