More than half of New Jersey students need some or strong support in English/Language Arts, and almost three-quarters have that level in mathematics, according to the results of the Fall Start Strong Assessment submitted to the state by the Department of Education. need the support of Board of Education on Wednesday.
An abbreviated version of the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments, this assessment first took place in 2021 after the 2020 and 2021 NJSLA tests were canceled in the spring due to the pandemic. This test divides children into those who need strong support, those who need some support, and those who need less support.
In English Language Arts statewide, 54.6% of students needed some or strong support, and grades 5, 9, and 10 had the highest test. A downward trend was seen in her two years of testing. Her senior year was the only year in which the proportion of students most in need of support decreased.
In mathematics statewide, 71.7% of students needed some or strong support, but generally their performance improved over the previous year. The state has not released school-by-school results, and department officials have not decided whether the test will be held again next fall.
Although there were differences in performance between English learners and students with disabilities according to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and in some categories, students with disabilities made significant progress.
The board also learned of a five-year, $14 million federal school-based mental health services grant to increase the number of psychologists, counselors, and social workers in the state’s most-needed schools. The state matches up to $1 million in funds with this fund each year.
New Jersey will receive $3.2 million for the first year and at least $2.7 million annually for the next four years, distributed to districts through a competitive grant process that focuses on the poorest and most needy communities. increase. The funding will also help encourage diverse professionals to provide school-based mental health services.
Despite calls from education advocates, the New Jersey Education Association and bipartisan legislators, Wednesday’s meeting has been virtual since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the December meeting, Kathy Goldenberg, president and director, said she hopes the hybrid system will start in January. But on Wednesday, she said, “We are still asking the department to do this.”
Acting Secretary Angelica Allen McMillan was absent from the meeting and no explanation was given to the board. Last week, Gov. Phil Murphy’s office denied reports that he had decided to replace her. But he didn’t recognize her among the six department heads he thanked in her state address on Tuesday.When asked why the commissioner was absent, the department’s public affairs office was quick to respond. did not.
Assistant Commissioner Kathleen Ealing told the Board that out of 5,000 applicants, 330 applied to work with NJPSS as tutors, student success coaches, and post-secondary advisors. We said it was for individuals and organizations only.
Acting Chief of Staff Julie Bundt said the department is working with the National Partnership for Student Success on how to find more volunteers.
After board member Mary Beth Berry asked how the department would ensure that students were volunteering and safe, Ealing said it would use existing safety requirements. Some organizations volunteering in the effort may be able to train and fingerprint volunteers who can start working “in the coming months,” department officials said. .
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Board, at the request of Vice President Andrew Mullwichl, did not vote to change the language of the state’s proposed Equality and Equity in Education Policy.
Current policy allows school districts to hold separate human sexuality classes “for male and female students” as long as the students receive the same lessons. This could result in transgender or non-binary students going out. The amendment would allow school districts to separate classes “based on gender identity.”
In protecting transgender and nonbinary students, Mulvihill argues that the revised policy would discriminate against sis girls who don’t want transgender girls in their classes about puberty. said he had never received so many comments (about 1,000) from the public on any other issue in his 10 years on the board. The New Jersey Center for Family Policy, a religious-based advocacy group that opposes sex education standards in New Jersey, launched a letter-writing campaign about the proposed changes, reportedly resulting in 945 letters received. .
However, department officials and other school board members have noted that under state and federal antidiscrimination laws, student gender identification is a private matter.
“As a public policy setting agency, we need to be aware that this is a very private conversation for mothers, fathers, parents and guardians across New Jersey and truly around the world. It’s not our job.When a child comes to school, it’s a process of self-selection regarding gender, and that’s the end of the conversation.”
“There’s so much politics in this conversation that, frankly, it makes my stomach hurt,” he said, addressing the transgender or nonbinary people in the audience. You should know that not all of us feel there is something wrong with you.”
The Board attended an executive session to hear legal advice from the Attorney General’s Office on whether the Board could vote to call for policy changes. Later, during the public portion of the meeting, Goldenberg said Malvihill withdrew the question, and the board did not vote on wording or other equity policies to consider at a future meeting.
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To contact Tina Kelly: tkelley@njadvancemedia.com.
