High school principal Mr. Neller presented the preliminary data on the 2024 graduation rate, which showed a promising 93.8% of students graduating. The official rate, calculated using New Jersey’s adjusted cohort method, will be released by the state by August 31st. This method tracks students from their freshman year through to graduation. Mr. Neller expressed pride in this achievement, emphasizing ongoing efforts to track students who transfer out of the district, as these students can negatively impact the graduation rate. He also raised concerns about the state’s policy of counting special education students against the graduation rate despite them receiving diplomas, hoping for policy changes before his retirement.

Mr. Neller also reported on AP test performance, stating that 69% of students who took AP exams this year passed with a score of three or better. He highlighted success stories such as a 100% passing rate for AP US History and an 82% passing rate for AP Biology. The transition from AP European History to AP World History saw increased participation and success, and the newly introduced AP Precalculus course performed well in its inaugural year.

Additionally, the meeting covered the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJ GPA), a state-mandated test for juniors. While 78% of students passed in language arts, only 41% were deemed graduation-ready in mathematics, which fell below the state average. Mr. Neller attributed some of the math challenges to the cohort’s disrupted middle school education. Alternative pathways to graduation were discussed, including standardized tests like the ACT, SAT, and PSAT, which can serve as substitutes for the NJ GPA under certain conditions. The board recognized the need for a more standardized approach to managing student workloads during AP testing periods to alleviate stress.

In another presentation, Mrs. Chang and Yen Morales reported on the ACCESS for ELLs (English Language Learners) results. This assessment, which North Brunswick conducts using the WIDA standard, is required for students who have not exited the ESL program. This year, 505 students were tested, a 35-student increase from the previous year. The results are categorized across proficiency bands, and while there were no students in the highest “reaching” band, this was expected as those students would no longer be classified as ESL learners.

Miss Morales noted that the student population’s transient nature can make year-over-year comparisons misleading. She highlighted increases in new students entering the program, particularly in kindergarten through fourth grade, which impacted scores in the “entering” and “emerging” categories. For example, kindergarten had a 59% entering score due to a large influx of new students. Conversely, second graders saw a 40% increase in those scoring in the developing category. In higher grades, trends varied, but overall, students who remained in the district showed positive growth. Recommendations were made to include data on students who exit the ESL program and to focus on a stable cohort for a better understanding of the district’s program impact.

The meeting also discussed the district’s recommitment to balanced technology use, particularly regarding electronic communications and recording devices like cell phones. The board is reinforcing a policy that prohibits these devices during school hours due to their disruptive impact on student focus and learning. A pilot program involving Yonder pouches will be introduced to create cell-free zones in schools. This initiative is supported by findings from the Surgeon General’s report on the negative effects of social media on students’ attention spans and anxiety levels, with the average attention span reportedly reduced to 19 seconds due to platforms like TikTok.

The board approved several education-related agendas, including a Memorandum of Understanding with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for a student environmental education program. Updates were provided on the district’s mentoring plan and the approval of a pilot program called Magic School, which aims to integrate artificial intelligence into classroom learning. Additionally, a three-year technology plan for the district was approved.

During the public comment period, a representative from the North Brunswick Teachers Association (NBTA) expressed appreciation for a tentative agreement reached with the Board of Education, highlighting the hard work of teachers in preparing classrooms and expressing optimism for the upcoming school year.