Measuring the Schools

Sparta - Middle school children had no reason to feel left out when the statewide report cards were issued. If fact, sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders in the Sparta school district were grabbing much of the attention that is sometimes devoted to their older and younger classmates. Students at the Sparta Middle School were celebrated among the top 10 percent for achievement statewide in results compiled from tests taken the past winter and spring and compiled in the 11th annual data analysis, the New Jersey Report Card for 2004-2005. The recognition means the Sparta Middle School had a combined passing rate on the state’s tests to place it within the top 10 percent of all New Jersey schools taking the same examinations in language, math and science. In math and language, Sparta eighth grade students kept pace with their “I” district counterparts, scoring better than the average marks in language, 91 against the state average of 88.8, and above the state’s median in science of 91.65 by receiving a 94. The 85 percent math score was also above the state average of 82.11 percent for comparable school districts. The “I” classification, or District Factor Group, defines a community’s socioeconomic status. A is for the poorest, and J is for the wealthiest. Numbers also added up well for Sparta elementary school students. Just do the math. Third-graders in the Sparta schools district posted increases of more than 5 percent above last year’s math results, with Helen Morgan recording a 97 percent passing proficiency and Alpine earning 93 percent. Michelle Lind, principal at the Helen Morgan School, said the math examination marks the first standardized test for elementary school children. She attributed the success, in part, to a revamping of the math curriculum by the district. “The program is much more rigorous than what we had last year,” she said. “That could be a piece of it because we had a different group of kids that took the test.” Lind said the numbers are even more significant when a child’s stage of educational development is considered. She said students are introduced to a more content-specific level of learning that includes social studies and science compared to the literary-based day traditionally presented in second grade. “Third grade is huge,” she said. “It’s huge for kids not just in curriculum, but in their growth as learners. The expectation is now that they will become much more responsible for their learning.” The Alpine fourth-graders also showed progress in math scores, improving by more than 5 percent from last year, with 90 percent of the students passing the standardized examination. Sparta math scores were consistent with statewide results that showed more elementary and high school students passing the tests. Math had been a source of concern in recent years, prompting former Acting Gov. Richard Codey to create a task force in 2004 to look into the problem. But unlike Sparta, middle schools across New Jersey continued to struggle on the math examination. Neighboring Byram - another “I” school -- had just 73 percent of its eighth grade students pass the math test. “We’re working on this across the state,” said acting Commissioner of Education Lucile Davy. “It’s encouraging to see changes, particularly at the fourth grade level. There’s still a lot of work to be done at the middle and high school levels.” Third-graders in the Alpine School also increased their proficiency by more than 5 percent from last year in the language portion of the NJ Assessment of Skills for Knowledge, with 96 percent passing the examination. Sparta High School test scores remained steady compared to results from last year. Ninety-six percent of the 11th-graders passed the language component and 92 percent found success in the math segment. Sparta continued to enjoy a high graduation rate of 98 percent, but witnessed a drop off in SAT scores, 1059 from 1092 last year. “You live by the sword and die by the sword,” said Richard Lio, principal at Sparta High School. “It changes year-to-year. Should they be higher - absolutely.” Yet, students at Sparta posted higher scores than any other Sussex County High School with the exception of Newton, which averaged 1087 on the SATs. Lio gave credit to the school system, but pointed out that only 68 percent of all Newton students took the SAT test, compared to 94 percent at Sparta. “Data is data,” said Lio. “You can interpret it anyway you want. When people look at one (category) and isolate on one thing, they do an injustice. I think that you have to look at the entire report card. We’re really good across the board, except for the SATs.” Lio said his staff would like to see SAT scores above 1100. “That’s what we are continually working on,” he said. “Language arts and across the board in math and science. Anywhere we put pencil to paper.” Overall, statewide reading test scores improved and more students performed proficiently in math. State education officials attributed the better report cards to greater correlation between classroom materials, professional development and the state’s “core curriculum standards,” which require teachers to base lesson plans on an annual menu of skills and knowledge. The standards are also the foundation for the statewide exams. The report cards contain a wide array of statistics including information on average per-pupil spending, class size, dropout rates and post-graduation plans. Full report cards can be accessed online at http://education.state.nj.us/rc/rc05/index.htm