The latest New Jersey Student Learning Assessment scores show that Jersey City charter school students outperformed the state average for grade level reading proficiency.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
In Jersey City, 58.6 percent of charter students outperform the state average in reading, which currently sits at 53.1 percent, according to data released by the New Jersey Department of Education.
There are 11 charter schools in the city serving nearly 7,000 students: 34 percent of Jersey City charter students are Black, 32 percent are Latino, 22 percent are Asian, and 14 percent are White. Additionally, two out of three students are economically disadvantaged.
“New Jersey’s public charter school assessment data is a true national success story. Charter schools serve many of the state’s most economically disadvantaged communities, yet charter students are performing on par with students in more affluent suburban districts,” New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association (NJPCSA) President/CEO Harry Lee said in a statement.
“When schools are committed, focused, and meet students where they are, every child, regardless of zip code, can achieve at the highest levels. Public charter schools are a shining example of what happens when we invest in our children.”
Students at charter schools in Newark, Camden, Paterson, Trenton, Jersey City, and Plainfield are, on average, 71% more likely to read at grade level and 65% more likely to do math at grade level compared to their district peers.
In the aggregate, urban charter schools in Newark and Jersey City continue to outpace the state average when it comes to students reading on grade level.
“Focused and caring educators, longer school days, more professional development, and a strong and positive school culture are the reasons why charter schools continue to succeed,” added NJPCSA Senior Advisor TJ Best.
“With 64,000 students currently enrolled and 32,000 more students on wait lists today, charter schools are providing educational opportunities for families that change lives. We must support all of our public school students, including charter school students, by providing the proper resources they need to reach their fullest potential.”
