District presents New Jersey school performance reports; shows mixed test results and enrollment growth

Nutley Public School District staff presented the state’s school and district performance reports and walked the board and public through summary and detailed indicators used by the New Jersey Department of Education.

Key points from the presentation - Enrollment and demographics: For the 2023–24 reporting cycle the district reported 4,252 students, an increase of 175 from the previous year. The percentage of students with disabilities was reported at 21.5% (down 0.9 percentage points), multilingual learners at 3.6% (new reporting item), and economically disadvantaged students at 13.5% (up from 11.8%). The district reported an average student–teacher ratio of 13:1. - Student growth and achievement: The district reported 54% meeting the ELA growth standard and 55% in math growth (both down from the previous cycle), but overall proficiency speed dials showed improvement in some categories, including district ELA and math overall performance changes. - College and career indicators: Nutley reported increases in AP participation (38.7% of 11th–12th graders took at least one AP course) and dual-enrollment participation (57.4%), higher than state averages according to the presentation. The district also highlighted increases in industry-valued credentials and the new Seal of Biliteracy measure. - Attendance and graduation: Chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of school days) fell to 15.1% from 19.6% the prior year; the district reported graduation rates that slightly trail the state in 4-year graduation but noted increases in extended-year completion for some students.

Why it matters: The reports are designed to promote transparency and provide data for school improvement planning. Presenters emphasized that the reports reflect prior-year testing and an October 15 demographic snapshot and that detailed school-level reports are available online.

Presenters and materials Supervisors and curriculum staff walked through the summary ‘‘speed dials’’ and detailed tabs for demographics, student growth percentiles (MSGP), academic achievement, college and career readiness, climate and staff. The presenters said the reports will be posted on the district website and the state DOE site and encouraged community review.

Public comment: Board members and the public were asked to defer questions to the meeting’s open-question period later in the agenda; several speakers later raised questions about how the performance data intersects with budget and staffing proposals.