Brick's High Schools Meet Achievement Goals But Lag in College Readiness

Some of the data on Brick Township's high schools in a new report out from the state Department of Education could be seen as troubling, but new superintendent Dr. Walter Uszenski said this week that he has already put reforms and programs in place to improve student achievement.

The state's new School Performance Report, which replaces the long-used School Report Cards as part of national common core standards, places extra emphasis on student achievement in college and beyond secondary school.

The new reports also do away with district factor groups – large groupings of school districts that were supposed to have had similar socioeconomic traits – for comparison purposes and instead use "peer schools," which are said to be specific schools which have similar academic programs as well as demographics.

Data released last week by the state was a measure of the 2011-12 school year, before Uszenski was hired as superintendent.

For Brick, the report shows that the township's two high schools met all of their targets in academic achievement, but lagged in the category of college and career readiness. In that category, both high schools were ranked in just the 24th percentile within their peer groups and the 37th (BTHS) and 38th (BMHS) percentiles statewide.

The college and career readiness category measures "the degree to which students are demonstrating behaviors that are indicative of future attendance and/or success in college and careers."

For high schools, this includes measures of participation in college readiness tests such as the SAT or PSAT and in rigorous coursework as defined by participation in AP courses in English, math, social studies and science, according to the report.

At Brick Memorial, 95.7 percent of students were ranked proficient in language arts and 90.2 percent were proficient in math. At Brick, 92 percent were proficient in language arts and 86 percent were proficient in math.

"The good news is that our HSPA scores are good and on the right track," said Uszenski, referring to the standardized High School Proficiency Assessment tests.

But both schools lagged their peer groups and the state as a whole when it came to college readiness.

At Brick Township High School, just 66 percent of students took the SATs, short of the statewide goal of 80 percent. At Brick Memorial, 65 percent of students took the SATs.

The rate at which students took PSATs was very low – 21 percent at Brick and 27 percent at Brick Memorial. In percentile terms, Brick was ranked in the 7th percentile (BTHS) and 3rd percentile (BMHS). In its peer groups, 76 percent of students took the SATs and 69 percent and 56 percent, respectively, took the PSATs.

At both schools, 10 (BTHS) and 11 (BMHS) percent of students took at least one Advanced Placement test in English, math, social studies or science, short of the statewide goal of 35 percent.

The state data also shows, as a percentage, how many graduates of both high schools actually enrolled in college within 16 months of graduating, according to the National Student Clearinghouse, which collects data from 95 percent of colleges nationwide.

At BTHS, 39 percent enrolled, and at BMHS, 38 percent enrolled.

Uszenski – though he disagreed, in some cases, with the districts included in Brick's peer groups – said he has already worked to put in place new initiatives that will help students achieve and improve the district's standing.

First, for the 2013-14 school year, every student will take the PSATs, he said. The tests are funded through the school budget and students will take them in their sophomore year, effectively putting both high schools in the position where 100 percent of students will take the exams.

Also funded in next year's school budget are seven new advanced placement classes in each high school, said Uszenski, plus a fourth year math class. The high schools will also offer SAT preparation classes.

Along with teachers and administrators, he said, the district has put in place data-driven assessments of programs and has formed committees of staff members to address current needs. The high schools will also modify their block scheduling next year to allow students and teachers to make the overall academic program more cohesive.

"This group of teachers and administrators, really, is a joy to work with," said Uszenski, complimenting staff for being open to changes and embracing new programs.

The entire report on the township school district can be found on the state's website.

Brick Patch will publish a separate article on elementary and middle schools later this week.