Berkeley Township School District's NJ Ask Test Results Surpass Others at Same Socioeconomc Level

The Berkeley Townshp Director of Elementary Education, Dr. Dyann DeClerico, recently provided the board of education with the district's results of the NJ Ask test as compared to others in the state at the same socioeconomic level.

“The District significantly exceeds the comparable scores of other B District Factor Groups,” DeClerico said.

School districts in New Jersey are categorized into District Factor Groups, which describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the local district, according to the NJ Department of Education website. From lowest socioeconomic status to highest, the categories are A, B, CD, DE, FG, GH, I and J. Berkeley township is a level B.

The District Factor Groups (DFGs) were first developed in 1975 for the purpose of comparing students’ performance on statewide assessments across demographically similar school districts. The categories are updated every ten years when the Census Bureau releases its latest data.

The classification system provides a tool for examining student achievement and comparing similar school districts. The DFGs do not have a primary or significant influence in the school funding formula beyond the legal requirements associated with parity aid provided to the Abbott districts, according to the web site.

DeClerico provided a power point presentation outlining the numbers. 

The results were as follows:

• In Grade 3: Language Arts scores were 42% better than other B districts. In math they were 24 percent higher. 
• In Grade 4: Language Arts scores were 56% better and 36% better in Math.
• In Grade 5: Language Arts scores were 46% better and 22% better in Math.
• In Grade 6, Language Arts scores were 43% better and 35% better in math.

Superintendent of Schools Joseph Vicari attibuted the positive results in part to the district's early childhood programs.

"Just as important is the early education that takes place here, such as our full-day kindergarten program," he said. "These grades are excellent."

 “We have a growing population," said Vicari.  "We are a District Factor Group B and we show great progress toward meeting all goals."

In another matter, DeClerio said this year the district has new programs and procedures in place to comply with the anti-bullying mandate.  Each school celebrated the 'Week of Respect' associated with this law by offering special lessons on tolerance and respect and making students more aware of the issue of bullying. 

 Another new program is the Rosetta Stone for students in grades 3-6. This is a self-paced computerized Spanish language program. There was much controversy last spring when due to budget constraints, the district terminated foreign language teachers in favor of the Rosetta Stone.

The Gifted and Talented program (ALPS), which remained intact and survived the budged cuts, has been expanded by one teacher, DeClerico said.