The Hopewell Valley Regional School District Board of Education convened on August 19, 2024, to discuss critical updates regarding the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJ GPA) and its implications for high school graduation requirements. This meeting highlighted the district's performance on the assessment and the pathways available for students who do not pass.

The NJ GPA, now in its second year as a graduation requirement, mandates that students must at least attempt the assessment to qualify for alternative pathways if they do not pass. These alternatives include achieving specific scores on standardized tests such as the PSAT, SAT, ACT, or submitting a portfolio of work. This approach aims to ensure that all students have a route to fulfill graduation requirements, even if they struggle with the NJ GPA.

During the meeting, the district's assessment data was presented, revealing that 77% of Hopewell Valley students were deemed graduation ready based on their NJ GPA scores, significantly higher than the state average of 55%. The average score for the district was 759, compared to the state average of 735. This performance reflects a consistent trend, as last year, the district also outperformed the state.

The presentation also included a breakdown of readiness by gender and race. Notably, there were no significant differences in graduation readiness between male and female students, and all non-binary students were reported as graduation ready. However, the data indicated disparities among racial groups, with a majority of the class identified as white, and a lower readiness rate among students with disabilities—only 23% of those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) were considered graduation ready.

In English Language Arts (ELA), the district maintained a readiness rate of 86%, slightly down from 89% the previous year, while still outperforming the state average of 767 with a district average of 771. The data suggested that female students continued to show higher readiness levels compared to their male counterparts.

The meeting underscored the district's commitment to addressing educational disparities and ensuring that all students have the support they need to succeed. The administration plans to collaborate with pupil services to analyze the data further and develop targeted interventions for students who require additional assistance.

As the school year progresses, the district will continue to monitor these metrics closely, aiming to enhance educational outcomes and ensure that every student is prepared for graduation.