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New Milford reports modest spring 2025 NJSLA gains; district targets grade‑8 math and subgroup supports
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Lauren Dockstaff told the New Milford Board of Education that spring 2025 NJSLA results show steady district performance with specific gains in grades 5–7 and among several subgroups; the district plans targeted tutoring, curriculum alignment and expanded practice testing to address gaps, particularly in grade‑8 math.
Assistant Superintendent Lauren Dockstaff presented the New Milford Public School District’s spring 2025 New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) and highlighted measured improvements alongside remaining gaps. Dockstaff said the district will use the results with classroom assessments and teacher input to target instruction and resources.
Dockstaff summarized participation and test structure: ELA assessments were administered to grades 3–9, math to grades 3–8 (and course assessments such as Algebra I) and science to grades 5, 8 and 11. She noted ELA and math report five performance levels (levels 4–5 indicate proficiency) and science uses four levels (levels 3–4 indicate proficiency). The presentation compared three years of district outcomes with state averages and showed New Milford generally tracking above the state in several grades and subgroups.
The district called out specific gains: a 5.9% increase in grade‑6 ELA (outperforming state by roughly 3 percentage points), a 5.8% gain in grade‑5 ELA, a 9.6% improvement in grade‑5 math proficiency and a 7.2% rise in grade‑7 math. Dockstaff said the Black student subgroup showed an 8% ELA gain and economically disadvantaged students saw a 9% increase in math proficiency; grade‑8 science recorded a 6.6% gain. She also reported two students who scored perfect (850) in both ELA and math.
Board members questioned grade‑8 performance and Dockstaff explained that increased Algebra I enrollment in middle school changes who sits for the grade‑level math assessment and therefore affects percent‑proficient calculations. The presentation also noted a recurring dip from grade 5 to 6 that the district is reviewing; Dockstaff said elementary math workshop goals target roughly 60 minutes of instruction and that program changes and departmentalization have been used in prior years to address transition challenges.
To respond to results, the district plans a mix of curriculum and instructional actions: revised K–5 standards‑based report cards aligned with the updated New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS); expanded use of practice tests and the digital item library; a reintroduced K–5 tutoring program focused on small groups; targeted high‑school supports for juniors funded with Title I; peer‑to‑peer math coaching within professional learning communities; and consultant support including Concord Math for high‑school content.
Dockstaff acknowledged testing burden and data limits: board members raised concerns about the cumulative number of assessments and about writing scores (the presentation noted some students scored zero on writing prompts). Dockstaff said the full slide deck and data will be posted on the district website and that more detailed reporting (including plans for semester assessments at the high school) will follow.
The presentation was followed by questions from board members and staff. No formal action was taken; Dockstaff said administrators will return with follow‑up details and additional agenda items for approval as needed.
