New Jersey: Comparing schools and districts based on student proficiency
The information below reflects the most recent data available to us; please contact us with questions or to request additional analyses.
Analysis: Comparing schools and districts on third grade proficiency in reading and math
The charts linked below allow you to compare schools and districts in New Jersey with their peers. The Y (vertical) axis shows the percentage of proficient 3rd graders in a subject; the X (horizontal) axis shows the percentage of students who qualify for the free or reduced rate lunch program, a common indicator of poverty in schools.
Available charts:
- Poverty versus 3rd grade reading proficiency rates (2022)
- Poverty versus 3rd grade reading proficiency rates (2019)
- Poverty versus 3rd grade reading proficiency rates (2018)
- Poverty versus 3rd grade reading proficiency rates (2017)
- Poverty versus 3rd grade reading proficiency rates (2016)
- Poverty versus 3rd grade reading proficiency rates (2015)
- Poverty versus 3rd grade reading proficiency rates (2013)
- Poverty versus 3rd grade reading proficiency rates (2012)
Note: In 2019, New Jersey transitioned from the PARCC assesment to the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment. Therefore, 2019 and subsequent results are not comparable to previous assessments.
Note: New Jersey reports five levels of proficiency. The top two levels of proficiency, levels 4 and 5, were used to calculate proficiency for the 2015 and subsequent charts. The NJ Department of Education refers to Level 4 as “Met Expectations” and Level 5 as “Exceeded Expectations.”
Note: New Jersey began using the PARCC assessment in 2015.Previous year results should not be compared to the 2015 and subsequent assessments.
Comparing New Jersey’s Proficiency Standards to the National “Gold Standard” (NAEP)
Each state defines for itself what “proficient” means; some states have a rigorous definition, while others are less strict in their standards. To see how states compare, ECF has published charts showing the percentage of students deemed proficient in various subjects and grade levels and compared them to percentages reported for each state by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP, or “The Nation’s Report Card”), considered to be the gold standard.