Dr. Linda Saracino presents spring 2024 NJGPA results; 64% of tested students graduation-ready overall

Dr. Linda Saracino, high school and middle school supervisor of instruction, presented the district's spring 2024 New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA) results, reporting that 64% of tested students were deemed graduation-ready overall.

Saracino said 233 students took the NJGPA in English language arts and 233 took it in mathematics. "It is important to remember that data needs to be interpreted carefully," she said, adding that the results are a snapshot and should be considered alongside multiple measures of student progress.

The presentation included comparative figures: 79% of students were graduation-ready in ELA (state average 82%), while 49% were graduation-ready in math (state average 55%). Saracino highlighted year-to-year changes, noting math rose from 37% graduation-ready in 2021–22 to 48% in 2022–23 and increased by one percentage point in 2023–24; ELA rose from 29% in 2021–22 to 79% in 2023–24.

Saracino reviewed subgroup results. In ELA she reported 58 Hispanic students (74% graduation-ready), 25 Black students (75% graduation-ready) and 128 White students (82% graduation-ready). In math she reported 58 Hispanic students (43% graduation-ready), 25 Black students (48% graduation-ready) and 128 White students (50% graduation-ready). She also summarized program-level results: 28 gifted students tested and 100% were graduation-ready in both ELA and math; 86 students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch were 70% graduation-ready in ELA and 44% in math; 176 general-education students were 91% graduation-ready overall.

Saracino gave a gender breakdown: 101 female and 123 male students (fewer than 10 listed as unknown). In ELA, 87% of females and 73% of males were graduation-ready; in math, 56% of females and 46% of males were graduation-ready.

On next steps, Saracino said the district will evaluate instructional strategies, review curriculum and pacing, identify professional development needs, hold data conferences and goal-setting meetings, and emphasize reading and writing across content areas. She also said the district will continue after-school supports, peer tutoring and summer programs such as AIM and summer school.

Saracino listed summer testing opportunities and supports: two ACCUPLACER dates on July 9 and August 13, NJGPA summer administration dates July 22–24, a college and career readiness class, and the portfolio appeal pathway for students who completed both NJGPA components.

She closed by thanking attendees and inviting questions to building administration or the curriculum department.