The Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board meeting held on July 16, 2025, featured a significant presentation by Dr. Mark Russo regarding the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA) scores. Dr. Russo began by thanking the Board of Education and outlined the purpose of his presentation, which was to share results from the spring administration of the NJGPA, a requirement for state reporting.

Dr. Russo explained that the NJGPA was administered in March to all eleventh graders and is designed to assess students' readiness for graduation in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. He noted that the ELA component aligns with grade 10 standards, while the mathematics component corresponds to Algebra 1 and Geometry standards. The NJGPA has been a graduation requirement for the last three graduating classes, and Dr. Russo indicated that the district is awaiting official guidance regarding requirements for the class of 2026 and beyond.

For students who do not achieve the minimum required score of 725 on each component, Dr. Russo outlined available options for support. These include the opportunity to retake either component of the NJGPA in the fall, meeting designated cut scores from a list of substitute assessments such as the PSAT, SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER, or completing a portfolio appeal.

Dr. Russo concluded by mentioning that a more comprehensive presentation on testing results, including additional standardized tests and future plans, will be provided later in the summer or early fall. This meeting highlighted the district's commitment to ensuring students are prepared for graduation and the various pathways available for those needing additional support.