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Kinnelon reports NJSLA gains, cites targeted tutoring and curriculum changes
Summary
The district reported 2023–24 NJSLA scores that generally exceeded state averages, highlighted gains in level‑4/5 performance and described summer learning, high‑impact tutoring and guided study as targeted interventions supporting those gains.
Kinnelon — The Kinnelon School District on Sept. 20 reported that district students generally outperformed state averages on the 2023–24 New Jersey Student Learning Assessments, and district leaders credited curriculum revisions and targeted supports, including summer programs and high‑impact tutoring, for the gains.
Mrs. Thomas, the district’s director of curriculum, told the board that the NJSLA performance levels (1–5) show steady increases in students reaching level 4 (meeting) and level 5 (exceeding) across ELA and math. She said the district’s comparison of its internal benchmark data with the NJSLA indicates growth, noting specific cohort improvements: one cohort moved from roughly 44% identified as needing substantial support after COVID‑era ‘start strong’ testing to about 64.5% meeting or exceeding expectations in math on the spring NJSLA; similar gains were described in ELA.
The district emphasized several interventions as drivers of improvement: a two‑week Summer Learning Academy that served about 50 students in grades 1–9; a federally funded high‑impact tutoring grant that supported roughly 20 students in grades 3–4; guided‑study supports for K–5 and 6–12 students; and a new supervised guided study hall at the high school for students needing daily extra help. Mrs. Thomas said the district will continue to compare NJSLA results with other diagnostics before making instructional decisions.
The director also reviewed subgroup reporting rules (districts do not report subgroup data for groups smaller than 10 students) and said the district will post detailed slides and individual score reports to the parent portal. She urged parents with portal access issues to contact the board office for assistance.
Board members thanked teachers and administrators and said the results reflect sustained instructional work and recent curricular resource adoptions aligned to revised New Jersey standards.
Next steps: The district will post full NJSLA slides online, continue RTI (response to intervention) practices, and use multiple diagnostics to inform targeted instruction.
