Press Releases

Newark Public Schools PARCC Results Show Continued Progress

NJDOE releases official statewide results that show that NPS schools are improving more quickly than state averages and compare more favorably than ever before with other districts

 

[Newark, NJ – October 8, 2017] – On Friday September 29th, the New Jersey Department of Education released statewide PARCC results that showed gains in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math for Newark Students. Newark Public School (NPS) leaders have now analyzed this data, which shows that Newark’s results have not only improved, but compare more favorably than ever before with other districts across the state.

“We are very encouraged by results that show our students continue to make steady gains, especially when comparing their results to students in other cities,” NPS Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf shared. “This data shows us that while there remains progress to be made, thousands more Newark students are reading and doing math on grade level today than just a few years ago, and that these students have a better chance at attending college and pursuing a meaningful career when they leave our schools.”

District data showed several promising trends [See attached document for charts]:

  • NPS PARCC Scores Continue to Improve: The percentage of NPS students meeting or exceeding expectations across all grades increased more quickly than the state average in both ELA and Math. NPS is up 2.7 points in ELA 3-11 [up nearly 8.7 points over 2 years]. NPS is up 2.8 points in Math 3-11 [up 5.3 points over 2 years].
  • Citywide PARCC Scores Continue to Improve: Focusing specifically on grades 3-8, scores increase further when looking at citywide results that include all public school models in Newark. Both NPS schools and Newark as a city have improved more quickly than the rest of NJ. Citywide in grades 3-8 Newark is up 11 points in ELA and 7 points in Math, while the state is up approximately 6 and 5 points respectively.
  • Citywide Proficiency Rates Show More Progress Over Time: Newark’s improvement becomes even more apparent when comparing proficiency rates across all school models in Newark with those similar cities from across New Jersey. This ranking methodology also allows us to go back to the NJASK in 2011. Compared to the 37 most demographically similar districts in the state, Newark has risen from the 42nd percentile in 2011, to the 83rd percentile in Math, and from the 44th to the 81st percentile in English.
  • NPS Outpaces Large PARCC Districts in Other States: When looking at other large districts in PARCC states, NPS also compares favorably. At DC Public Schools (another district that has taken on significant reforms in recent years) while overall results are slightly higher than NPS, students at NPS who qualify for free or reduced lunch (FRL) drastically outperform those at DCPS.
  • The City of Newark Compares Favorably with Other PARCC States: We can compare Newark students across school models with other PARCC states. This comparison shows that Newark compares favorably with PARCC states where data is available, outperforming DC citywide, New Mexico, and Illinois (in ELA). Newark is competitive with other states despite large differences in the average socio-economic backgrounds of students being served.
  • The City of Newark is Narrowing the Gap with NJ: In just the two years since the start of the PARCC exam, Newark Students have begun to narrow the gap with the rest of NJ – closing the gap by 5 points in reading and 3.5 points in Math.
  • African American Students are at Better Schools: The percentage of African American students in Newark who attend schools that beat the state average has tripled since 2009, and now a higher percentage of African American students in Newark attend these schools than the state average.

“The key to the continued growth here in Newark can be found in the focused collaboration and hard work of the educators in our schools and classrooms,” noted Deputy Superintendent Robert Gregory. “Educators across this city are innovating and improving in ways that has built momentum in recent years, and our goal moving forward is to keep that momentum and build on it for the benefit of Newark students.”

The data shared by the state also reveals some key insights about what is driving these results. The district identified a set of key investments that were shared as a part of the broader strategic plan the district released before the 16-17 school year, and are now driving improved results across the vast majority of schools, particularly in the lowest grades. Analysis by NPS of these results shows that:

  • There is improvement across nearly all grade levels. 8 out of 9 grades improved in both ELA and Math from 15-16 to 16-17. Two-year gains are nearly universally positive, with double-digit gains in several grade levels.
  • Improvements are even stronger for students who have attended NPS for the last 3 years. Students who have been continuously enrolled in NPS schools have made even greater growth than the district average.
  • The vast majority of schools are improving. 41 out of 56 schools improved in ELA. 43 out of 56 schools improved in Math.
  • Participation is up. 94% of eligible students participated in the PARCC exam in 16-17. With more complete data we are able to draw more meaningful conclusions about student learning.

NPS Launches Relief Effort for Families in Puerto Rico

School District Develops Plan to Accept Students Relocating to Newark

 

Hurricane Maria Relief
Click for larger version.

[Newark, New Jersey] September 29, 2017 – Newark Public Schools (NPS), will begin accepting donated items from parents and students in each of the districts 64 schools starting next week. Earlier this week, Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf joined Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, the United Way of Essex and West Hudson and a number of other agencies held a press conference to develop a plan and pledge support to help the people of Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.

“School leadership will be working with th entire school community to particpate in this district-wide humanitarian effort,” said Christopher D. Cerf, Superintendent of Schools. “Our school district is home to thousands of people of Puerto Rican descent, many of whom have relatives living in Puerto Rico – so it is our responsibilty to help where we can and to engage others to do the same.”

The Puerto Rico Relief Effort is being coordinated through the Office of Family and Community Engagement, under the direction of Executive Director Margarita Muniz. Ms. Muniz said there are a number of requested items; including new or gently used summer clothing, baby and adult diapers, toothpaste and toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products and clothing for all ages.

In addition, NPS will support the October 8 relief effort at the Flamboyan Manor sponsored by the American Red Cross, Mayor Baraka, and Councilman-At-Large Luis Quintana and North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, Jr.

NPS Unveils First Wheelchair Lift Bus Service for Students

Lift Service To Provide More Opportunity for Students Needing Wheelchair Services

 

[Newark, New Jersey] September 20, 2017 – Newark Public Schools (NPS) unveiled their first wheelchair bus service for student transportation at the John F. Kennedy School yesterday. The wheelchair lift bus will allow students needing wheelchair access the ability to use district sponsored transportation to and from school. Students using the wheelchair lift bus will now have greater access to programs and services offered by NPS; including school sponsored field trips, transportation to job training, and learning life skills from community visits.

“Today is a great day for Newark Public Schools, particularly for students, parents, teachers and administrators at the JFK School,” remarked Superintendent of Schools Christopher D. Cerf. “Learning happens not only in the classroom, but also on excursions outside the classroom – the new lift bus will expand the learning opportunities for students of the JFK School. A special thank you goes to a dedicated and compassionate leader, Principal Dr. Glenda Johnson-Green, who has led a coalition of dedicated community leaders who helped us reach our goal to acquire the new wheelchair bus.”

Having a wheelchair bus has been at the top of Dr. Johnson-Green’s bucket list for many years according to school administrators. The bus provides home to school transportation for JFK students. The purchase of the wheelchair lift bus was made possible through the dedication of a number of donors and Dr. Glenda Johnson-Green, who has worked with NPS for 44 years; first as a teacher, then administrator and now principal of JFK.

“Working towards fundraising for the Lift Bus was an idea that I and community partners decided to do to impact the lives of this very specialized population,” said Dr. Johnson-Green. “We wanted each student in JFK, whether they are able bodied or in a wheelchair to be exposed to the same experiences in the community. This unveiling has been a long time coming. We appreciate the efforts of our community partners, students and staff in this endeavor.”

The JFK School is home to 167 students from 6th grade to 21 years of age. JFK students receive academics and life skills training, allowing them to be employable. Vice Principal Jill Summers-Phillips said that several graduates of the JFK School are employed there at the school; indicating that one person works in schools services and another graduate works as a locker room attendant. The sign outside of the school says, “Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow.” Ms. Summer-Phillips said we are a special school for special people, which is why the bus is so important for our students.

Joining in the celebration were Board President Marques Aquil Lewis, Members, Josephine Garcia and Reginald Bledsoe, Freeholder Rufus Johnson, who helped to raise funds for the bus, along with Councilman Joe McCallum. Dr. Johnson-Green extended a special thank you to all of the donors; particularly Freeholder Rufus Johnson, Pastor Tilley, and Nanina’s in the Park.
According to JFK school administrators, they are currently reviewing student service needs to determine how many students will utilize the wheelchair bus lift for home to school transportation, which could result in the elimination of up to five bus routes that are currently provided by outside vendors.

In addition to the JFK Chorus, the Weequahic High School Drumline also performed to celebrate the arrival of the new wheelchair bus.

Newark Leaders Applaud State Board of Education for Vote to Return Local Control to Newark Schools

Superintendent Cerf, Mayor Baraka, Senator Teresa Ruiz, and Board Chair Marques Aquil Lewis share their collective commitment to an effective and responsible transition.

 

[Newark, NJ — September 13, 2017] – Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Christopher D. Cerf, Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Senator Teresa Ruiz, the Newark School Board and other Newark leaders attended the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) board meeting in Trenton, NJ this morning where the State Board of Education voted to pass two resolutions that call for “the return of operational control to Newark Public Schools following the creation and completion of a transition plan.” Several State and Newark leaders spoke at the meeting citing significant academic improvement, as well as an increased unity of purpose and collaboration, as evidence the city is prepared to assume local control of district schools.

“I want to congratulate the Mayor, the School Board, and all of the Newark residents who have been waiting many years for this moment,” noted Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf. “I also want to thank the Governor, Commissioner, and the State Board of Education for their on-going support of Newark schools. I look forward to working together in the coming months to collaborate on the transition plan to return all governing responsibilities to the Newark School Board in a stable way that successfully positions the district to continue to advance the learning and growth of all Newark students.”

The State Board of Education approved two resolutions. One resolution moves control of the final functional areas of Governance and of Instruction and Program, which were previously under state intervention, to the oversight of Newark School Board. The second resolution charges the Newark Public Schools and the New Jersey Department of Education to collaborate on the creation of a transition plan to full local control.

“Moving forward, the people of Newark have an opportunity now to have a say-so, to make things in the image of the way we see them.” Said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “All of our institutions are ready for this. The private sector, the public sector, our educational institutions, parents, students, clergy, philanthropies – all of us- are poised for this day. Today is a great day for me, I’m excited. I was a young teacher in the Newark Public Schools when they were taken over in 1995, so it is wonderful to be mayor of the city of my birth at this point, to be able to say that now we have control of our schools, and ready for responsibility to move our kids into the next century.”

In the coming months, the transition plan will be finalized by the New Jersey Department of Education and presented to the Newark School Advisory Board. The details that are outlined in the transition plan will determine the timeline for the return of responsibilities back to the Newark School Board. The transition plan will also outline other actions that must be taken, such as an eventual city-wide vote to determine if Newark will continue to have an elected school board or a school board appointed by the Mayor.

“This is a very exciting day for Newark Schools,” added School Board President Marques Aquil Lewis. “We look forward to working with the State, the Superintendent, and most importantly the Newark community, to build on the progress that has made in recent years and to move our schools into a new day of locally elected leadership.”

A major contributor to the District’s readiness for local control can be found in its improvement in academics. A few areas of progress include:

  • Preliminary 16-17 PARCC results show that Newark Public Schools students once again made significant gains in both ELA and Math, with NPS’s growth exceeding the state in both subjects.
  • NPS has improved on the state student growth measure (SGP), with students growing in reading faster than their peers across the state in 15-16 (most recent data available).
  • Newark has also seen consistent improvement in graduation rates.73.5% of students graduated in the 15-16 year, and this figure is expected to rise to around 77% for the 2016-17 school year when data is finalized by the state later this fall. This number was at 54% when the state took over in the 1995, and had only moved to about 60% as recently as 2011 (an independent audit put the figure at 57%).
  • The 2016-17 graduating class also saw more Newark students matriculating to the country’s most competitive colleges, with students receiving full scholarships to places like Harvard, Princeton, Rutgers, and other elite schools.

The transition to local control has received significant national press coverage to date. A summary of coverage is listed here for reference:

VH1 Save the Music Foundation Launches Multi-Year Campaign to Restore Music Education in Every Newark Public School

Thirty-eight schools across the district will each receive new musical instruments, professional development, and other support to rebuild and sustain music education programs.

 

[Newark, NJ — September 12, 2017] – On Tuesday, September 12, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation returned to Newark in the midst of National Arts in Education Week with more than 200 instruments to distribute to Newark Public Schools students. Nearly 30 instruments were unveiled at a press conference at Camden Street School, one of seven school grant recipients. VH1 Save The Music brought along star-power to help distribute the instruments with Algee Smith joining in the surprise celebration for students.

VH1 Save the MusicThe event in Newark kicks off a five-year project to invest in music programs in approximately thirty-eight schools with demonstrated need. Each will each receive a package estimated at $60,000 – including approximately $45,000 worth of new musical instruments and other equipment, and $15,000 for professional development, advocacy support, research, measurement and program evaluation.

“The Newark Public Schools system serves more low-income students than all other districts in New Jersey, and a majority of its K-8 schools do not have instrumental music programs. We are now working to change that by bringing music education to the students who need it most,” said Henry Donahue, executive director of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. “This is just the beginning of our commitment to reach every public-school student in Newark.”

“The sound of music will be heard at these seven schools thanks to VH1 Save The Music and the generous donations from funders and support of our partners,” said Superintendent of Schools Christopher D. Cerf. “This is an extraordinary opportunity for our students. Research has found that learning music facilitates learning subjects and enhances skills that children use in other areas; a child uses multiple skill sets while learning music which is why this partnership with VH1 Save The Music is important to our mission to link everything students do to learning.”

VH1 Save the MusicIn addition to VH1 Save The Music, further funding support is provided by The ELMA US Music Foundation, The Singer Family Foundation, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Partners include the Newark Arts Council, Newark Arts Education Roundtable, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

Through this project, the Newark Arts Education Roundtable and Newark Arts Council will provide administration, direction, and technical assistance by partnering with Newark’s many stakeholders, artists, arts administrators, community organizations, community development corporations, planning groups, economic development agencies, and government agencies as well as the general public.

Local performing arts organization such as New Jersey Performing Arts Center and New Jersey Symphony Orchestra are joining this effort by providing free tickets to students and families to attend their events this season as well as coaching opportunities by professional musicians.

Arts and culture have become an integral part of the city of Newark. The city recently completed the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 (AEP5) study, which explores and identifies the economic impact of arts and culture in a community. By all economic indicators, Newark continues to show growth and promise in engaging residents and visitors to diverse arts and cultural experiences; from jobs and careers to entertainment to learning.

Newark Public Schools Arts program is under the direction of Margaret El, Special Assistant for the Arts. Ms. El is a member of the Newark Arts Education Roundtable.

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in America’s public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education. Founded in 1997, VH1 Save The Music was the first organization in existence dedicated to restoring music programs. Over the last 20 years, the foundation has donated $53 million worth of new musical instruments to over 2,000 public schools in 251 school districts around the country– impacting the lives of millions of public school students. Learn about the foundation’s Play It Forward campaign in celebration of its 20th anniversary here: on.vh1.com/playitforward.

Superintendent Cerf and Mayor Baraka share plans to build on recent progress and work with community members to move Newark schools forward

NJ Spotlight AT FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, NEWARK ALSO CELEBRATES SOON-TO-END STATE CONTROL | Mayor Baraka and state-appointed superintendent Cerf both acknowledge significant gains district has made in past few years. (NJ Spotlight, 9/06/17)
njcom BACK TO SCHOOL IN N.J.’S LARGEST DISTRICT | Tuesday marked the start of what will likely be a historic year for the state’s largest school district. “The return to local control of Newark schools, combined with the good news about academic achievement, makes this a first day of school that parents, students, teachers and our entire community can celebrate,” Baraka said in a statement. (NJ.com, 9/05/17)
NEWARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS CHIEF: DISTRICT READY FOR LOCAL CONTROL | In the face of corruption, mismanagement and low achievement scores, the state took over control of Newark schools 22 years ago. Now, Newark’s public schools are on track to regain local control. Last week, a key transition plan was given final approval by the state’s commissioner of education. But, the full transition’s only just beginning. Former Commissioner and current state-appointed School Superintendent Chris Cerf sat down with NJTV News. (NJTV Online, 9/05/17)
NBC TV 4 CONTROL OF NEWARK SCHOOLS GOING TO A VOTE | The New Jersey state board of education is set to take up a vote on September 13th as to whether control of Newark schools will go back to the city. (NBC New York.com, 8/30/17)
Tap Into NJ NEWARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPEN AS DISTRICT ANTICIPATES FULL LOCAL CONTROL | Newark Public Schools Superintendent Christopher Cerf and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka officially opened the 2017-18 school year at Technology High School, where school board members, elected officials, teachers and others gathered for a press conference to usher in the first day of what promises to be a momentous year for the district. (Tapinto.net, 9/06/17)
News 12 STATE TO GIVE CONTROL OF NEWARK SCHOOLS BACK TO DISTRICT | The city of Newark could soon be running its own schools again after 20 years under state control. The state Board of Education will take a vote next week, and it is expected to vote in favor of returning control to the city. (NJ.News12.com, 9/06/17)
NBC TV 4 NJ PRINCIPAL HELPS STUDENTS AFTER HOUSE FIRE | A New Jersey elementary school principal has made it his mission to be an exemplar of kindness to his students – even off of school grounds. Camden Elementary School in Newark runs on the motto, “We Care.” That’s why its principal, Sam Garrison, started a program called Camden Cares. (NBC New York .com, 9/06/17)
ABC New York NEWARK STUDENTS HEAD BACK TO CLASS, POSSIBLY FOR THE LAST TIME UNDER STATE CONTROL | Thousands of students and teachers went back to school in Newark Tuesday, in what could be the last year the school district is under state control. (ABC7New York.com, 9/05/2017)
AP CHRISTIE: NEWARK’S SCHOOLS TO BE RETURNED TO LOCAL CONTROL | New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says Newark’s schools will be returned to local control next week after more than two decades under state supervision. Christie says the city’s schools have come a long way and cited the $100 million donation to Newark for education made in 2010 by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. (Associated Press, 9/06/17)
njcom CHRISTIE: NEWARK TO GET CONTROL OF ITS SCHOOLS NEXT WEEK | Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday confirmed that the state will begin the process to hand over control of Newark’s schools to local officials next week.(NJ.com, 9/07/17)
News 12 NEWARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO VOTE ON STATE CONTROL ISSUE | Newark Public Schools will soon vote on whether to remain under state control. (News12.com, 9/05/17)
SCHOOL DISTRICT TRAINS TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS THROUGH YOGA | The room was filled with teachers and administrators from Newark Public Schools. One of the participants of the class was West Side High School Principal Larry Ramkissoon. Sitting in a meditative posture, he said, “I think the teachers will become much more self-aware, or begin on the path of self-awareness and self-recognition because the literature suggests that teachers who are more aware have greater influence on their kids.” (NJTV Online, 8/31/17)