The school district’s results in the AP, SAT, ACT and PARCC standardized tests were reviewed at recent BOE work session.
The 2016 standardized testing results were presented to the Board of Education at last week’s work session meeting, reviewing the scores of the AP Exam, SAT, ACT and PARCC.
According to Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Jack McGee, Washington Township’s score of 80 on the Advanced Placement Exam was above the average state and national scores of 72 for New Jersey and 60 for the United States.
“We’ve had an increase of no less than 163 students in AP courses over the last five years, and an increase of students sitting for exams no less than 403,” McGee said. “A whopping 128 students received a score of three or higher, and we out-distanced the state in our total percentage of students that received higher than a three on the AP exams.”
McGee presented a list of initiatives the district used to grow the AP programs, including reimbursement for students scoring a three or better on the exams, expansion of AP offerings to 25 courses, and students taking the AP courses were exempt from the final exam when they received an 85 or higher average and took the AP exam for their specific course. The Washington Township Public Schools District was named to College Board’s 7th annual AP Honor Roll List for its AP program and exam accomplishments.
Washington Township students also scored above the state and national averages in the SAT critical reading section with an average of 506. Mathematics scored an average of 513, and writing was an average score of 485.
McGee reviewed the American College Test, stating the scores were generally lower than the state’s averages, however were still higher than the nation. The ACT covers subjects in mathematics, reading, science, English and composite.
Last year was the second year of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. Students in third through 11th grade took English language arts and literacy assessments, while students in third through eighth grade were assessed in mathematics and end of course Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II.
PARCC scores students on a range of one to five, five being the best score. According to Director of Elementary Education Gretchen Gerber, the state sees level four, scoring 750 to 809, and level 5, scoring 810 to 850, as meeting or exceeding the grade-level expectations, therefore the district was looking for scaled scores of 750 or above. Those scoring a three are considered to be approaching expectations, and levels one and two are partially or not meeting expectations.
“In the elementary level for grade three, four and five, scores in English language arts and literacy from 2015 to 2016 saw a decrease in the number of students in levels one and two and an increase in those in level four and five,” Gerber said.
Director of Secondary Education Steve Gregor said the ninth, 10th and 11th grade scores saw some decreases, however, external factors may have contributed to those results.
“In the 11th grade ELA assessment, any student who took an AP class did not need to take the PARCC, so you’re going to see that those types of students’ scores will not be reflected in the level grouping we’d like to see,” Gregor said.
In the mathematics section, Gerber said elementary students again saw an increase in level four and five scores and a decrease in level one and two.
“We implemented a new curriculum last year, so we’re very happy to see it’s on the upward track,” Gerber said in regard to the increase of mathematic PARCC scores.
Gerber, Gregor and McGee presented a list of plans to further improve PARCC scores such as data days, state assessment achievement coaches, professional development for small group instruction in reading and writing workshops and parent nights to name a few.
To see more on the New Jersey PARCC results, visit www.parcconline.org.
