How Did Millburn's Schools Rate On Controversial New Scale?

MILLBURN, NJ — Where do Millburn's schools rank on the New Jersey Department of Education’s controversial new ratings system?

First, some quick background. The new ratings were established to comply with the federal “Every Student Succeeds Act,” which replaced the “No Child Left Behind Act.” (Learn more about the Every Student Succeeds Act here)

The ratings for high schools are based on graduation and absenteeism rates and PARCC scores, while elementary and middle school scores are based on absenteeism, PARCC and student progress on PARCC tests, according to the state Department of Education.

Fair warning… the limited methodology has led some educators to blast the new system as misleading. Frank Belluscio, a spokesman for the New Jersey School Boards Association, said a single number or letter grade by itself "draws an incomplete picture of school performance and the quality of education provided to its students."

The meaning of the ratings are somewhat ambiguous. However, based on the reports, it appears that schools that finished with at least a 50 score could be considered average, falling within the 50 percentile. Anything above 70 appeared to be around the top 20 percent.

• See related article: Every NJ School 'Graded' In New State Report

So how did Millburn's schools measure up among 2,105 others across the state?

• #167 - Glenwood - 92.12 rating
• #177 - South Mountain - 91.65
• #211 - Millburn Middle - 90.06
• #233 - Millburn High - 89.01
• #394 - Deerfield - 81.35
• #437 - Hartshorn - 79.29
• #468 - Wyoming - 77.82

Do you agree with the new ratings system? Or are they missing the big picture about what makes a school “great?” Let us know in the comments section.

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Previous reporting by Tom Davis / Photo: Shutterstock

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