Standardized test scores, the possibility of High School North pulling ahead of South in high school rankings, and the extent of increases in next year’s budget all were discussed at a relatively quiet meeting of the WW-P Board of Education on November 18.
According to Assistant Superintendent Martin Smith, West Windsor-Plainsboro students once again outperformed the majority of the state on standardized tests. Smith presented the 2013-’14 results on four standardized tests: NJASK, HSPA, SATs, and Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
“Regarding the NJASK administered to students in grades three through eight, and the HSPA, which is taken by 11th graders, first I want to point out that this is the last time we will ever see these scores, as these tests will no longer be administered. In fact, the state of New Jersey has made it clear that we cannot compare NJASK/HSPA scores against the new PARCC test scores. So this year’s PARCC scores (which will be administered in the spring of 2015) will become a bench line to compare against future PARCC scores.”
“In addition,” continued Smith, “over the past few years, the state has been transitioning the types of test questions found on the NJASK, aligning them to PARCC-type questions, so the state doesn’t expect a huge difference in test scores from one test to another.”
Regarding the NJASK scores, Smith noted that once again, the district students scored significantly higher than the state average, and in line with similarly situated peer districts (known as the district factor group, or DFG). Nearly all district students scored in the proficient or advanced proficient categories, and more WW-P students measured “ advanced proficient” in both language arts and math than the rest of the DFG.
“Similarly, the HSPA scores were much higher than the statewide average, and were in line with the DFG scores. This year’s seniors have the HSPA as a graduation requirement, but no future class will have this as a graduation requirement,” Smith added.
Smith also provided an analysis of the SAT and AP test scores. Said Smith, “Regarding the SATs, our numbers are again significantly higher than state average, which is 500. Students from High School South and High School North scored virtually the same, with the average being at slightly above 600 for reading and writing, and approximately 620 for math.”
Finally, Smith explained last year’s AP test results. “AP tests are graded on a score of 1 to 5; a grade of three, four or five is considered passing,” he said. “The great majority of our students receive passing scores, and nearly 100 percent of students in our AP classes take the test.”
“I would like to point out one interesting change,” Smith continued. “Last year (2012-’13) at North the number of AP exams taken was around 900, whereas this year (2013-’14) over 1,100 AP exams were taken at North. However, the number at South stayed almost exactly the same, at approximately 1,070. So not only did the North administer many more AP exams this year than it did last year, but North actually administered more AP tests than South did. One of the criteria in many news magazines’ school rankings is the number of AP tests administered, and so North may end up being ranked slightly higher than South when the new rankings are released.”
In personnel action, the Board unanimously approved Barbara Soares Gould as principal of Village School, replacing Christine Capaci, who is now the district’s director of data assessment, and accountability. Gould had been serving as the acting principal since the start of the school year.
The finance committee has continued working on the preliminary budget for next year, reported Board member Dana Krug. “The finance committee will recommend that the Board utilize the full allowable cap of budget increases, because of continuing financial pressures on the district, such as increased student size and increases in special education and transportation costs.”
Board member Scott Powell commented, “As a Board we have not yet had a robust enough discussion on possible budget stressors, and that we should have that discussion at the Board retreat before we recommend spending to our cap limits.”
Board president Tony Fleres responded that the budget would be discussed in depth at the next Board retreat, and that the proper procedure is to have the finance committee make recommendations first, and then to have the full Board discuss the budget at the retreat.
Board member Michele Kaish then reported on the results of the survey results regarding the district’s Eyes on the Door security program. “The responses from parents and staff suggest that we should continue the program, with some modifications. We will consider some adjustments and present them to the full Board in the near future.”
Board Vice President Richard Kaye addressed the middle school German field trip, which had been addressed by several parents at the previous Board meeting. Kaye noted that the curriculum committee had surveyed Board members and found they are in support of the trip, so the teacher has been asked to submit the formal request for the trip’s approval.
He also announced some proposed changes to the curriculum, as recommended by the curriculum committee.
“Financial literacy, at 2.5 credits, will replace economics, which was five credits. This change will allow all students to fulfill the state requirement without needing to lose another course slot or do Option II to meet the requirement.”
“Business/computer science and language arts courses will no longer be allowed to offer visual and performing arts course credits, as state law requires that teachers must be ‘highly qualified’ in these content areas,” continued Kaye. “And art courses will now allow a portfolio review as a way to meet prerequisite requirements.”
“The district will offer new or updated computer courses, which will be a year instead of a semester, and will now be totally aligned with NJ Core Content standards. Robotics will now be rebranded as engineering to further show district commitment to STEM courses.”
“Geometry will be reduced from four levels of courses to three, and basic geometry and college prep geometry will be combined. Honors, and honors and accelerated will continue as separate courses,” said Kaye.
He further noted that oceanography and meteorology will be discontinued because for the past several years, no student had signed up for the course. Similarly, Latin is being discontinued as of next year, due to low enrollment. However, Latin 4 will be available online for the few students who need it.
The committee recommended eliminating the independent study option as of the 2015-’16 school year, because, according to Kaye, “it is a voluntary option on behalf of teachers with very little student accountability. Students can still take courses not offered by the district as part of Option II.”
Finally, Kaye announced some proposed changes to the Option II concept itself, which allows students to take extra courses over the summer to earn credits or to fulfill requirements: “Credit can be earned for only one course, for one year, from July-June, whereas we used to allow students to get credit for two courses. We want students to have access to a balanced program, while doing their courses well. In addition, students may take one Option II course per sequence and/or subjects throughout their high school career, so they are not taking several online courses rather than full courses. And students will be encouraged to finish Option II course work by the fall of their senior year, to help ensure that they will meet their graduation requirements before it is too late. But there are always exceptions, “
“Finally,” added Kaye, “If a student fails an option II course (by failing the district exam), the student must take the district course, rather than re-taking the option II course, to get credit.”
The second reading of these changes will be held at the Board meeting Tuesday, December 2, at 7:30 p.m. at Community Middle School and then the full Board will vote on the recommendations.
