Newark Struggles in Graduation and College Achievement

Some VERY sobering statistics about Newark’s schools, from a report by the school system itself, signed by Cliff Janey:
GRADUATION AND COLLEGE SUCCESS RATES ARE LOW

Only slightly more than half (52 percent) of our students graduate high school within four years, based
on the new, more accurate graduation rate adopted by National Governors Association (versus almost
80 percent, based on the state’s old formula). Fewer than half of these graduates enroll in college;
almost all need remediation.
49% of NPS graduates enrolled in college in 2006.
53% of those graduates enrolled at Essex Community College.
96% of those students needed remediation.
In three of our five largest high schools, fewer than half the students graduate within four years. In five
of our highest-performing high schools, approximately 75 percent graduate on time. Both rates are
too low. Our lowest-performing schools must be overhauled and our best schools need to get better.
The good news is that more students are taking Advanced Placement (AP) and SAT exams, but
performance remains low. Only 32 percent of students score 3 or higher on the AP exam. Average SAT
scores are 378 in critical reading, 392 in math, and 383 in writing — well below state and national
averages
Thus, only 25% of Newark’s 8^th graders will ever go to college (52% x 49%) – and half of those that do attend Essex Community College and nearly ALL of them need remediation.
Hat tip to Whitney Tilson and his school reform blog.

Related articles

• Change in AP exams should relieve stress (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Early Action Could Aid in Admission, Report Finds (nytimes.com)
• Newark superintendent Clifford Janey’s contract is not renewed (nj.com)