Clark Students Score Above State Average in NJASK

Clark public school students who took the New Jersey Assessment of Skill and Knowledge in Spring 2011 scored above the state average in every category, the Board of Education announced Tuesday night. 

The test, administered to grades three through eight, is a yearly exam meant to assess students’ critical thinking skills in three content areas: language arts literacy, mathematics and science.

The scores are compared to state average and district factor groups, which are districts with similar socioeconomic statuses. Clark is compared to Monroe and North Brunswick, along with 87 other districts.

The statistics were presented to the Board of Education by administrators Janeen Allmendinger and Jennifer Viti.

Viti said that in general, the scores has increased from the past year, but seventh grade math will be targeted for improvement for next year.

Seventh grade math was the only category that was not above the district factor group average.

A student who scores 250 to 300 on the test is considered advanced proficient. Scores 200 to 250 are proficient; anything less than 200 is below proficient.

Every state is required to administer annual standards-based assessment of all children in grade three through eight. Grades four and eight were also given a science component.

To help students in math, the Clark district has started the “Sunrise Math Academy” which gives at-risk students two hours more of math instruction before school starts twice a week, said Superintendent of Schools Kenneth Knops.

“As you noticed, the math scores are not exactly where we want them to be,” he said. “The idea behind the program is to bolster instruction to provide students with special tutoring,” he said.

The program has already started Kumpf Middle School and Valley Road Elementary School. The program is set to start at Frank K. Henley Elementary School next week.

Allmendinger noted improvement in third grade math and language and fifth grade math and language.

To continue the progress, Allmendinger said the district is implementing different instructional ways depending on areas of improvement per grade level. She also said there will be professional development for faculty to teach more effective skills for the test.

Viti and Allmendinger also looked at the High School Proficiency Assessment, administered to 11th graders. In the HSPAs, the scores were above state average, with 97.5 percent of students proficient in language arts and 84.1 percent proficient in math. 

A full list of test averages is listed below:

Third grade math:

Average score: 237.8

Proficiency percentage: 88.3 percent

Third grade language:

Average score: 209.5

Proficiency percentage: 73.1 percent

Fourth grade math:

Average score: 240.1

Proficiency percentage: 88.0 percent

Fourth grade language:

Average score: 210.7

Proficiency percentage: 75.9 percent

Fourth grade science:

Average score: 251.3

Proficiency percentage: 95.2 percent

Fifth grade math:

Average score: 247.6

Proficiency percentage: 91.8 percent

Fifth grade language:

Average score: 215.5

Proficiency percentage: 80 percent

Sixth grade math:

Average score: 223.2

Proficiency percentage: 81.5 percent

Sixth grade language:

Average score: 217

Proficiency percentage: 80.5 percent

Seventh grade math:

Average score: 217.8

Proficiency percentage: 67.4 percent

Seventh grade language:

Average score: 220.7

Proficiency percentage:79.9 percent

Eighth grade math:

Average score: 223.5

Proficiency percentage: 74.7 percent

Eighth grade science:

Average score: 240.1

Proficiency percentage: 91.2 percent