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District presentation: Elizabeth students trail state by about 10 percentage points on NJGPA; ACCESS for ELLs reviewed
Summary
District officials told the board that nearly 2,100 students took the NJGPA and that district performance trails the state by approximately 10 percentage points in both ELA and math; the director also reviewed ACCESS for ELLs administration and score reporting.
Director of Research, Evaluation and Assessment Amy Gil presented the district’s spring assessment results to the board on July 24.
Gil said the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA), administered to 11th‑grade students, was taken by nearly 2,100 students this spring. She reported district performance is stronger in English language arts than in math but that in both content areas the district is trailing state performance by approximately 10 percentage points. Gil said students who do not meet the “graduation ready” standard have additional opportunities to retake the assessment and may use alternative proficiency measures such as the SAT or ACT.
Gil also reviewed ACCESS for ELLs administration. The assessment measures English language acquisition across listening, speaking, reading and writing on a six‑point scale and informs placement decisions for multilingual learners. The district administered roughly 200 more ACCESS tests than in 2024, and the director noted average scores are influenced by a mix of newly arrived students and students who have been in the district for multiple years.
Why it matters: Assessment results shape district remediation, programming and accountability plans. A consistent gap from state performance can trigger targeted interventions, curriculum review and resources for multilingual learners.
What’s next: The district will continue to provide retake opportunities and use multiple proficiency measures where appropriate; the board and administration will use the data to guide next‑year programming and intervention planning.
