Good News about New Jersey's Public Schools

The following post places in perspective the general overall quality of education that exists in the State of New Jersey. A large part of this overall quality is the consistent and continued support for public education throughout much of the state. This becomes actualized by evidence of the stability of the teacher work force (low attrition rates), resources for students, facilities, and a commitment to educating all students. When compared to states across the country, New Jersey consistently demonstrates it's commitment not in rhetoric but by the resources it dedicates to the children of the state. What follows is some evidence of the impact of that support. -Dr. Petrosino

 

Writing scores are the best in the nation: New Jersey 8^thgraders rank first in the nation in writing on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
Source: National Center for Education Statistics.

Math scores are among the nation's best: New Jersey public school students score among the very best in the nation in math on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Reading scores are among the nation's best: New Jersey public school students score among the very best in the nation in reading on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Highest Advanced Placement scores in the nation: New Jersey is first in the nation in the average Advanced Placement (AP) score for public school students this year. 
Source: College Board

Public school students outperform private school students on Advanced Placement exams: In New Jersey, public school students score higher than private school students on their AP exams. 
Source: College Board

High school graduation rate as the best in the nation:New Jersey ranks number one in the percentage of students graduating high school. 
Source: Education Week

Among the best in the nation in preparing students for higher education: The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education ranks New Jersey near the top for how well its schools prepare students for college. 
Source: National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education

Among the nation's "Smartest States": New Jersey has been named as one of the four "smartest states" in the country based on the quality of its public elementary and secondary schools. 
Source: Morgan, Kathleen O'Leary and Scott Morgan (eds).Education State Rankings 2007-2008: Pre K-12 Education in the 50 United States. (Morgan Quitno Press: Lawrence, KS). 2007.

Leading the nation in the number of children attending preschool: New Jersey is first in the nation in the percentage of 3 and 4 year olds who are enrolled in preschool.
Source: Education Week