2024 Test Scores: Black, Latino, and Economically Disadvantaged Public Charter School Students Outperform Their Statewide Peers in All Grades in ELA and Math
Last week, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) released the 2024 New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) scores for all public school students tested in grades 3 through 11. The 2024 scores show that Black, Latino, and economically disadvantaged students enrolled in New Jersey’s public charter schools outperform their statewide peers in all grades in both English language arts (ELA) and mathematics.
Overall, Black and Latino students tested in public charter schools outperformed Black and Latino students statewide by 9.6% points in ELA and 5.1% points in math on the NJSLA. Economically disadvantaged students tested in public charter schools outperformed economically disadvantaged students statewide by 12.9% points in ELA and 7.1% points in math on the NJSLA.
These results demonstrate that public charter schools continue to make significant student achievement gains for students of color in under-resourced communities throughout New Jersey. 85% of New Jersey’s 63,000 public charter school students are Black or Latino, 70% come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and 10% receive special education services. Public charter schools serve one in five public school students in New Jersey’s 31 Schools Development Authority (former Abbott) districts.
“While the New Jersey public school system is ranked the top-performing in the country, there remain large achievement and opportunity gaps, as not every child’s needs are being met equitably. When it comes to educating our students, one size does not fit all and it is undeniable that public charter schools are part of the solution to ensure a strong public-school system in the Garden State,” said Harry Lee, President and CEO for the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association (NJPCSA). “The strong achievement gains in some of our urban communities have largely been driven by charter schools and we are excited for our schools to share what is working so that all students in New Jersey can benefit from innovative and effective practices including a longer school day, embedded tutoring during the school day and world class teacher training and development.”
Overall, students attending public charter schools meeting proficiency standards improved by 2.3% points in English language arts (ELA) and 3.7% points in math which outpaced the rest of the state which saw growth in proficiency of 0.9% points in ELA and 2.0% points growth in mathematics.
An analysis of test scores disaggregated by the six cities which have the largest number of charter school students demonstrate similar findings. Public charter school students in Camden, Jersey City, Newark, Paterson, Plainfield and Trenton are significantly more likely to meet proficiency on state assessments.
Learning Community Charter School (LCCS) in Jersey City is one of the most diverse public schools in the state and is providing an excellent public education to all 630 of their students. The 2024 scores demonstrate that LCCS is significantly outperforming the state average by 25% points in ELA and 13% points in math.
“At Learning Community Charter School, our dynamic and challenging programs foster compassion, growth, and accountability for our students as they grow to be leaders in the Jersey City community. We are proud of our intentionally diverse school model where we have 30 different languages spoken at home and have developed a special school community where every child feels a sense of belonging. These results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers, staff, families and students – a true team effort,” said Colin Hogan, Head of School at Learning Community Charter School in Jersey City.
Charter Students in Newark Beat Statewide Average In ELA For Second Year In A Row
20,000 students are currently enrolled in public charter schools in Newark. 80% of Newark charter school students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. For the second year in a row, public charter school students in Newark beat the New Jersey state average in ELA, with 51.3% of students scoring proficient on the NJSLA in grades 3 through 8, a remarkable accomplishment as New Jersey is widely regarded as the best public education system in the country.
LINK Community Charter School in Newark is outperforming the state in all grades in ELA and demonstrated strong growth that outpaced the rest of the state. Nearly 70% of LINK’s students come from economically disadvantaged households.
“My children are receiving an education that will open doors for them long after they have left the classroom. I am overjoyed with the progress they are making and the immense challenges they are overcoming following the COVID pandemic,” said Shirelle Bailey, a parent of two students currently attending LINK Community Charter School in Newark. “I wish every parent across New Jersey had the same opportunities as my family and could send their children to a great school that best meets their individual needs.”
