West Essex School Board Celebrates High Rankings, Tackles Student Performance Concerns
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Meeting Date:
10/16/2024
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Recording Published:
10/16/2024
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Duration:
50 Minutes
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Essex County
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Towns:
Essex Fells, Fairfield (Essex County), North Caldwell, Roseland
- Meeting Overview:
The West Essex School Board meeting highlighted the district’s impressive rankings and addressed concerns about student performance, particularly in standardized testing and mathematics. The board also explored initiatives aimed at enhancing academic success and fostering a supportive school environment.
A key moment of the meeting was the celebration of the West Essex Regional School District’s impressive rankings by niche.com, where it placed 17th out of 243 districts in New Jersey and third in Essex County. The district also received recognition as the fourth-best district for teaching and the top district for athletics within Essex County.
Despite these accolades, the board expressed concern over the decline in mathematics scores, especially among eighth graders. The Director of Curriculum reported a significant drop in participation and performance in mathematics assessments, prompting discussions on potential strategic adjustments. The board acknowledged that while the district’s performance remains above state averages, continuous improvement is necessary. Plans for departmental meetings were proposed to analyze data and develop strategies to address underperforming areas, particularly in standards related to mathematical functions.
The discussion also extended to the performance of 11th-grade students on various standardized tests, including the NJ GPA, SATs, and ACTs. The board noted the impact of test fatigue on students, who are required to take multiple assessments prior to the NJ GPA, a graduation requirement. Encouragingly, the Class of 2024 saw a pass rate of 92% for the NJ GPA, higher than the New Jersey average. The Class of 2025 maintained this upward trend with a 97% pass rate, despite challenges in score improvement at this level. In mathematics, a notable increase from 77% to 86% in passing rates was observed when the test became consequential, as state scores remained stagnant.
Advanced Placement (AP) scores were also a focal point, with the board noting an increase in student enrollment in AP classes. Nearly all enrolled students participated in the AP exams, with a passing rate holding steady at 81%. The board attributed this success to the dedication of AP teachers and the impact of test preparation sessions. Furthermore, the 2024 graduating class earned the AP School Honor Roll Silver Award, recognizing high levels of participation and success in AP courses.
A new initiative called Math Mastery was introduced to enhance students’ fundamental skills in mathematics. Using the Delta Math online platform, students can retake assessments until they achieve satisfactory results, effectively integrating formative assessments into graded components. The program’s implementation in grades 7 and 11 was highlighted as a potential contributor to improved NJ GPA outcomes. This initiative is being evaluated through a Math Achievement Committee, which is collecting data on its impact and exploring further innovative teaching methods.
The board also addressed various academic support initiatives, including foundation classes for Math and English Language Arts (ELA), study strategies, academic coaching, and a learning lab for students seeking extra help. The Night Squad, a Title I program, is scheduled to commence after the first marking period, alongside ongoing peer tutoring and summer school options for remediation and enrichment.
October’s designation as National Principal Month was acknowledged, with the board expressing gratitude for the principals’ contributions to the educational community. Their commitment to supporting students’ social and emotional needs was commended.
Safety initiatives were another highlight, coinciding with October’s School Safety Month. Activities included the Week of Respect and the No Place for Hate campaign, featuring a pledge signing event. The ongoing focus on creating a safer school environment continued with educational activities, such as an assembly on cybersecurity for eighth graders.
Additionally, the meeting introduced Emily, the newly elected student representative to the Board of Education. Emily’s active involvement in school initiatives, including the culture and climate committee and the No Place for Hate program, was noted. Her election saw high student engagement, with over 75% of students participating in the voting process.
Damion Macioci
School Board Officials:
Michielle Kupferberg, Kim Codella, Dawn Farese, Linda Fishman, Julie Rosen, Stacey Gold
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Meeting Date:
10/16/2024
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Recording Published:
10/16/2024
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Duration:
50 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Essex County
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Towns:
Essex Fells, Fairfield (Essex County), North Caldwell, Roseland
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