Belleville Students Meet Language Standards

Improved reporting through the use of technology has helped the Belleville Board of Education convince the state that guidelines have been met in improving the teaching of non-English-speaking students.

Other items discussed at Monday's school board meeting was the successful conversion of school records from paper copies to computerized storage, and that standardized testing is proceeding.

The district was able to improve the reporting of how well Belleville Public Schools have met "the annual measurable guidelines for progress" with non-English speaking students, according to Susan Grillo, director of curriculum and instruction and English language learning for grades K through 12.

State officials originally believed the state standards had not been met, but after revisions were made using new technology, the data reflecting Belleville schools was re-sent to the state, Grillo said.

“It was cleaned up, and based on the new reporting, we were told that yes, indeed, we had made the adequate progress,” Grillo said.

An electronic records company, Docusave, converted paper records into electronic files, a move school district staff said will preserve records more effectively.

Most of the files were stored at School No. 1, while some were at the board offices located in Belleville High School, said Business Administrator Edward Appleton.“The total cost of this was less than $2,000, and we had capped the amount we would spend at $3,000, so we’re pleased."

Finally, Grillo said that the High School Proficiency Assessments, or HSPA’s, were “almost done,” and the next round of standardized tests would be the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge or  NJASK for seventh and eighth graders, from April 23 through the 26^th.