newjerseynewsroom.com

State results find no gender gap in language and math

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The result of a language and math skills test given to New Jersey students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in 2008 or 2009 show an achievement gap between wealthy and low-income students remained at roughly 30 percent.

The state Department of Education released the results Wednesday.

The results of the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge test reveal language arts scores are lower than they were in earlier testing. Math scores showed some small increases in the early years, but scores declined in the 7th and 8th grades.

The results also indicated there was no gender gap in the areas of math and science. State graduation examination results are essentially flat - with little change over the past nine years.

State Acting Education Commissioner Rochelle Hendricks took the opportunity to say the results show why the Legislature needs to push forward with Gov. Chris Christie's education agenda.

"Governor Christie and I believe that all children deserve an excellent education, no matter where they live and no matter what their economic background is," Hendricks said. "Today's assessment data underscores the need for reform, so that all children, regardless of their zip code and income level, can get a quality education.

"We need to close the achievement gap, particularly between wealthy and low-income students, by making the necessary reforms crucial to bringing positive change and innovation to our classrooms," Hendricks added.

Christie has made proposals in an effort to improve public schools, including moving toward a system that demands accountability, rewards highly effective teachers, utilizes performance measures and ensures each and every child receives the quality education they deserve.

These proposals have been questioned by Democratic legislators and the New Jersey Education Association, the statewide teachers' union.

The governor wants to promote effective teaching by valuing student achievement under a teacher rather than the educator's seniority. He wants accountability and results for children with data-supported evaluations. He wants t expand opportunities for good teachers to succeed, and provide families with more education choices for their children by expanding access to charter schools and other public schools.

Under the federal No Child Left Behind law, every student is required to be assessed in grades 3 through 8 and one time in high school in Language Arts Literacy and Math. In Science, students are required to be assessed in 4th and 8th grades, and once in high school.

The report may be viewed at: www.state.nj.us/education/schools/achievement/2011. Than click on the grade results in which you are interested. Than, to obtain the quickest information, click on executive summary.