Students Continue to Score Well on State Tests

Millburn's state test scores remained as some of the highest in the state as the New Jersey Department of Education released the annual School Report Cards on Tuesday.

At least 85 percent of students on all levels reached the proficient level or higher on the state's standardized tests.

"What pleases me the most is as students progress through the system the better they do," said Schools Supt. Richard Brodow in an interview on Tuesday. "The excellence at the high school is built on the strong foundation students receive in our elementary schools and the middle school."

In the elementary schools, 86.2 percent of third graders scored at least proficient on the Language Arts Literacy portion of the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJASK) and 94.6 percent were at least proficient on the math portion. In fourth grade, 80.4 percent of students scored at least proficient on the language arts test, 91.1 on the math test and 98.3 percent on the science test. In fifth grade, 95.1 percent of students scored at least proficient on the language arts test and 93.1 percent on math.

The majority of students in the upper elementary grades were scoring at the advanced level on the NJASK.

At the middle school, 86.6 percent of sixth graders reached at least the proficient level for language arts on NJASK and 90.6 did so on the math test. In seventh grade, 86.6 percent reached at least the proficient level on language arts and 89.6 percent on math. In eighth grade, 95.9 percent reached at least the proficient level on language arts, 86.9 percent on math and 95.1 on science.

On the High School Proficiency Assessment test, 98.1 percent of Millburn High School students reached at least the proficient level for language arts and 94.6 percent for math. Of those on math, 57.1 percent reached the advanced level. On language arts, 32.1 percent reached the advanced level.

The state's report card also includes the 2008-09 SAT scores for Millburn High School students. Students who took the test, on average, scored a 637 on math, 613 on verbal and 618 on the essay portion. In comparison, Millburn's District Factor Group scored 608 on math, 580 on verbal and 587 on the essay.

While Millburn's scores are always good and among the best in the state, Brodow said school officials are always looking to improve and serve students better. Over time the math curriculum has been tweaked as has the writing and reading programs.

"We look to built on what works," Brodow said. "It's why we instituted the academic support programs while I've been here."

Millburn is fortunate to have students, parents and residents who value education, Brodow said. "The community values education and puts a premium on learning," he said. District officials also hire the best people to teach and works to develop them over time. The students are willing to learn.

"They're all ingredients to make a special school district," he said. "We're not perfect, but I'm proud of the education we offer our kids."