Last night, the Board of Education trustees listened with little reaction as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Ellen Ruane presented an extensive summary of mixed test score data.Ruane shared the district’s results of several state assessments: the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA), New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA), ACCESS 2.0, and AP exams. Though there were small improvements on a number of measures, the test results depict a student body in which 50% or more of all students are failing to meet expectations in English, math and science.The NJSLA was administered at the end of the last school year in the subjects of English language arts (ELA), math, and science. The ELA tests are administered to all students in grades 3-9, while math is given to all students in grades 3-8 and algebra and geometry in high school. Meanwhile, science is only administered to grades 5, 8, and 11.In ELA, 45.1% of test takers scored either Exceeded Expectations or Met Expectations. Students who scored Exceeded Expectations increased 1.4% compared to last year, while those who scored Met Expectations dropped minimally by 0.4%. Partially Met Expectations, but Approached Expectations stayed the same and Did Not Yet Meet Expectations scores slightly increased.Overall, 59.5% of students either improved or remained at their previous performance level.In math, 29.8% of students scored either Exceeded Expectations or Met Expectations, both increases from last year’s scores. Approached Expectations scores and Did Not Yet Meet Expectations decreased, but Partially Met Expectations scores marginally increased.Overall, 56.3% of test takers either increased or remained at their previous performance level.In science, 6.1% of students scored Advanced Proficient, 13.1% scored Proficient, 30.8% scored Near Proficient, and 50% scored Below Proficient. Since the science test is only administered to fifth, eighth, and eleventh grades, there is no year-to-year comparison available for individual student performances.Compared to the scores from last year, Below Proficient scores decreased, while the other three categories increased.New Jersey requires all schools to administer a graduation proficiency assessment to all grade 11 students. The test found that 75.5% of test takers are “graduation ready” in ELA, while only 39.6% are “graduation ready” in math. Both fall short of the state averages of 81.6% (ELA) and 54.7% (math), and saw negligible changes since last year.The district also highlighted the 6.1% improvement in math graduation readiness scores at Snyder High School and 10.5% improvement in ELA graduation readiness scores at Lincoln High School, both of which have professional development programs to help administrators facilitate growth at their schools.The fall administration of the Graduation Proficiency Assessment will be in October. For students who pass neither administration of the test, a substitute competency test (PSAT, SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER) can be submitted, or the students can submit a student portfolio appeal to the New Jersey Department of Education.The ACCESS for English Language Learners (ELL) proficiency test evaluates the listening, reading, speaking, and writing abilities of students enrolled in ELL or bilingual classes and those receiving English as a second language services. Out of 3,995 students currently enrolled in ELL across grades K-12, 303 tested as “exit ready” from the program with a score of 4.5 or higher, and 77.6% of students increased their scores from last year.Although AP tests are not required, the district offers a variety of AP courses so that students in the district can develop college-level knowledge and skills. Students who are enrolled in AP courses are expected to take the corresponding AP exam. Across the district, a total of 1,567 students took 2,126 AP tests. Of those students, 1,451 scored 3 or higher on all AP tests, an increase of 344 students since last year.In addressing what steps the district will take over this school year, Ruane highlighted a variety of initiatives that are part of the district’s “Mission Forward” goal to push students to “go for the gold” in helping to improve test scores and make them more graduation ready. Initiatives include school data teams to assess learning data and target instruction, professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators, school interventions, enrichment programs, and more.“Returning to school is always exciting. September of 2024 has been a very special time after a few years of anxiety and uncertainty. September 2024 was an excellent new beginning and a fresh start for everyone—students, parents, and teachers,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Norma Fernandez. “There was energy and momentum present at every school and within the district.  There is so much happening in our schools. There is the creative use of technology. There is a focus on developing 21st century learning and all the opportunities to learn in new and exciting ways. Students will learn to be collaborative, to communicate and think creatively and critically, and they will develop a sense of character. We will continue our mission of going foward, going for the gold. When school and home work together we achieve so much more.”The post Jersey City Public Schools See Little Improvement in Student Test Scores appeared first on Jersey City Times.