New State Formula Will Measure Student Growth

The Montclair School District will soon release student performance data that is calculated using the state’s new methodology. 

Student performance reports for the previous two years will be released within the coming weeks using the state-mandated system known as Student Growth Percentiles, said Superintendent Penny MacCormack on Monday. The new approach will factor in a student's growth from year to year rather than measuring all students to one standard, which educators say gives a clearer picture of student performance. 

“Student Growth [Percentiles] provides a much more comprehensive and complete picture of achievement of progress,” said Montclair District Student Data Analyst George Glass. “... Educators nationwide say it is a fairer way of evaluating their effectiveness than simply looking at a snapshot of student achievement at one period in time.” 

The new system compares a student’s academic score on the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge, or NJ ASK, with students throughout the state who scored similarly on those tests and who are at the same academic level, said Glass. A student’s progress or regression every year will be determined by comparing his or her scores against those students with similar scores. 

The previously federal system No Child Left Behind could never really demonstrate if a child was making “real academic progress,” said Glass. The former system measured all students to the same pass/fail standard in a single year, whereas Student Growth Percentiles will measure an individual student’s progress over multiple years.

MacCormack said educators have measured student growth by proficiency for the past decade under No Child Left Behind, but “now, being able to add to that ... is important information.” 

This new system for measuring student performance has yet to be officially passed in the state. However, MacCormack said the district has received direction from the state that “indicates we should move ahead as if this is what is in place. ... It’s very clear that this is what has been decided.” 

NJ ASK will also be replaced in 2014-15 school year by a new state language arts and math test known as PARCC. 

The state-mandated system will also account for 35 percent of teacher evaluations for those with students taking NJ ASK (language arts and math teachers in grades four through eight). Objections to using that percentage were raised by MacCormack and board members on Monday, and has been raised by state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex).

“I honestly think it was a surprise to see 35 percent,” said MacCormack. “That’s what the state decided on and that’s what we need to live with at this point.”

“I think the regs from the state came as a surprise to some of us and certainly, speaking frankly, a disappointment,” said board member Tanya Coke. “I think there is a lot of skepticism about whether it makes sense to subject teacher and principal evaluations to this high a number and at this point in time when state data bases are still being put in place.”