Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Assessment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ocean City presents 2024 NJSLA results, emphasizes multiple measures for student achievement
Summary
An administrative presentation to the Ocean City Board of Education reviewed 2024 NJSLA, MAP and AP results, stressed test scores are one part of a multi-measure accountability system, and described how item-level analysis is guiding targeted instruction and interventions.
An administrative presenter told the Ocean City Board of Education that the district’s 2024 New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) results are only one component of the district’s multiple-measure approach to evaluating student achievement. The presenter said state assessments in English language arts, mathematics and science inform—but do not wholly determine—district decisions about curriculum and instruction.
The presenter explained the NJSLA cut scores and reporting levels, noting "Level 4 is meeting standards; Level 5 is exceeding standards," and said the district tracks subgroup performance while masking any subgroup with fewer than 20 students to protect privacy. The presentation highlighted item-level and standard-by-standard analysis used by teacher PLCs and building principals to identify where curriculum adjustments, targeted tutoring and staffing changes are needed.
District staff also reviewed MAP (NWEA) growth measures K–8, describing MAP as an adaptive, student-level assessment used in fall and spring to measure growth. "MAP gives us individualized, timely data; we get results 24 hours later," the presenter said, noting MAP is used differently from the NJSLA because MAP measures growth while NJSLA is grade- and standards-aligned and returned in August.
At the high school level, administrators summarized AP and ACT participation: the district reported offering numerous AP courses and administering hundreds of AP exams (the transcript notes 683 exams taken in the prior year, with 263 scoring 3 or higher), and average AP scores of roughly 3.47–3.48 across two recent years. The presenter said the high school moved from a bronze to a silver designation on the AP Honor Roll.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the timing of winter MAP testing and whether it factors into growth calculations. The presenter replied that winter MAP is used diagnostically by teachers and is not included in the formal growth calculation, which is based on a set number of weeks of instruction.
The presentation concluded with administrators saying test results will guide further work on interventions, curriculum alignment and a district corrective action plan to address chronic absenteeism. The presenter emphasized that standardized tests guide resource allocation but do not alone define student success.
The board did not take any formal action during or immediately following the presentation; it opened the meeting for subsequent agenda business.
