The most discussion centered around the assessment results for the ACCESS, NJ GPA, and AP programs from the 2023-2024 school year. Dr. Kalisha Morgan presented the assessment data, which included scores from the ACCESS test. A total of 2,400 students were tested. While many students scored within the development range, the highest score achieved was a six, and the lowest was a 1.2.

Board members engaged in a dialouge about the results, expressing a need for more nuanced data to better evaluate individual student progress. One member suggested that understanding where students started would provide a clearer framework for assessing the district’s strategies for serving the growing ESL population.

Concerns were raised about data tracking for newcomer students, who may not have had the opportunity to fully engage with the curriculum, complicating interpretations of overall student progress. A participant emphasized the importance of tracking individual progress over time to better understand whether students who had been in the program for varying durations were making adequate progress.

The conversation then shifted to the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJ GPA) results for Ocean Township High School. The statute requires all 11th-grade students to take the NJ GPA to evaluate their readiness for graduation in English Language Arts (ELA) and math. Approximately 80% of students met the graduation readiness criteria in ELA, slightly below the state average, while math readiness stood at about 52.5%, also trailing the state performance.

The board also discussed new intervention strategies aimed at keeping students within core classes while providing necessary assistance. The proposed model would have interventionists work alongside general education teachers, with a focus on data-driven instruction to ensure equitable educational practices. Monthly tracking of academic, disciplinary, and attendance metrics was emphasized to catch students who might be falling behind.

In terms of AP exam performance, a portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the participation and scores of students in various AP courses. A total of 273 students participated in AP exams across 24 subject areas, with scores ranging from 1 to 5. Seven percent of students achieved a perfect score of five, and 28% scored four or five. Despite this, concerns were raised about the mean scores in subjects like geography, microeconomics, Italian, and physics, which had not exceeded three over the past three years.

It was suggested that the lack of passing rates in some courses might be due to many students enrolling in AP classes to enhance their transcripts, even if they were not adequately prepared for the rigor of the curriculum. Some participants argued that the experience gained from AP courses is invaluable, regardless of exam scores, as it helps students develop critical study habits and skills. There was a consensus on the need for additional professional development for teachers and addressing issues with teacher retention that could affect student performance.

Additionally, the meeting covered the distribution of AP Scholars within the district. A total of 67 students achieved AP Scholar status, with distinctions based on high scores on specific tests and the number of tests taken. Questions arose regarding the implications of these titles and the importance of parental involvement during course selection meetings with guidance counselors.

Transitioning into action items, the board discussed the upcoming New Jersey School Boards Association conference and approved several personnel and financial management items. The conversation also touched on educational instruction and curriculum updates, including the annual approval of evaluation rubrics and updates to curricular documents.

Concerns about budget alignment for the new cybersecurity curriculum were addressed, confirming that the budget was adequately managed. In the policy section, revised policies were presented, highlighting the repeal and replacement of outdated regulations. Notably, the policy on volunteer athletic coaches was updated to eliminate the requirement for a New Jersey substitute teacher credential.

Finally, the board concluded the meeting with no old or new business presented and no public comments. A motion was made to adjourn the meeting.