NJ State Board of Education Considers NJ State Perkins v Plan, State Results for 2019 Nation’s Report Card

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The New Jersey State Board of Education convened on Wednesday, November 6th for their regular monthly meeting which focused on national testing results and vocational education.  An anticipated release of a Charter School Report did not occur.

The New Jersey State Perkins V Plan is a blueprint for a statewide career education and workforce effort. It identifies two foundational elements and four strategic goals that will lay the foundation for the next generation of career education and talent development at the secondary and postsecondary levels in New Jersey public institutions. This state framework will govern policy direction, guide new initiatives and drive investment strategies for both federal programs and state projects.  

Beginning  on Wednesday, November 6, the Department of Education began accepting public comment via email to:  PerkinsV@doe.nj.gov.  Additionally, there will be three opportunities for public testimony:  December 2, 2019: Perkins V overview and public comment session at the Southern Regional Institute and Educational Technology Training Center; December 4, 2019:  Public testimony session at the NJ State Board of Education meeting; and December 6, 2019: Perkins V overview and public comment session at Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands.  The final four-year state plan will be presented to the U.S. Department of Education in April 2020.

The NJDOE also  presented the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) 2019 State Results, that were released October 30th.  Statistical rankings of New Jersey fourth and eighth graders showed New Jersey students among the top three in the nation.  However, the percentage of students scored “proficient” remained below the 50 percentile (Grade 4 math: 48% proficient; grade 4 reading 42% proficient; grade 8 math: 44% proficient, grade 8 reading 43%). These numbers caused some alarm among the Board members, and sparked a dialogue about what the meaning of “proficient” is, the purpose and value of NAEP data, and how New Jersey can best utilize that information.

Other action items the Board undertook included one Appointment (Debora Esposito) and one Reappointment (Barbara Gantwerk) to the State Special Education Advisory Council (SSEAC).    Later that afternoon, the State Board received public testimony regarding the State Board of Examiners Swimming and water safety endorsement (Ch. 9B).  

*The NJDOE postponed the Charter Act Outreach Report Review, originally scheduled as part of Wednesday’s agenda. A new date for presentation was not provided.  

The State Board is scheduled to meet again on December 4th, 2019.