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Marlboro presents NJSLA and DLM results; board flags science assessment and celebrates cohort gains
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Morgan Gross presented Spring 2025 NJSLA results showing the district well above state averages and cohort growth; special‑services supervisor Allie Mortar reviewed DLM results and eligibility changes. Board members discussed limitations of science assessment and local data supplements.
The Marlboro Township School District presented its Spring 2025 standardized test results to the Board of Education Tuesday, highlighting district gains while urging caution about relying on a single state metric.
"This is 1 data point," an administration official said repeatedly during the district presentation, underscoring that NJSLA scores should be considered alongside local assessments. Assistant Superintendent Morgan Gross walked the board through ELA and math charts showing the district outperforming state averages across most grades and described cohort growth — for example, a notable rise in grade‑6 performance that the district is tracking into higher grades.
Gross and board members explained how they use cohort and grade‑to‑grade analyses to spot trends and to guide interventions, such as the RTI (Response to Intervention) process and the district’s power program for Title I schools. They noted that grade‑level increases often reflect multi‑year teacher and data‑specialist work focused on aligning classroom assessments to standards.
Both Gross and board members raised concerns with the state science assessment. The board discussed that the science test covers multiple years of standards (grades 5 and 8 testing that draws on prior years) and that New Jersey officials and districts have flagged problems measuring inquiry‑based science learning. Gross said the state acknowledges issues with the science test’s design and timing.
Allie Mortar, supervisor of special services, presented DLM (Dynamic Learning Maps) results for eligible special‑education students and explained eligibility and testing windows. Mortar noted that district decisions to move some learners from DLM to NJSLA this year changed the composition of both result sets.
Board members asked for continued local assessment work, training and cross‑district collaboration (Marlboro cited comparisons with neighboring districts such as Manalapan and Freehold Regional) to better interpret state results and support instruction. The presentation will be posted on the district website for community review.
