Algebra I* scores in the Hoboken School District along 3 different time points- 2015, 2021, and 2023-24. Little to no growth. Little to no advancement. No accountability. Easy to claim things are "going well"--and "getting better" and "leading progress" but the data shows a much different story. Research shows students who complete higher levels of math in high school experience lower rates of unemployment and receive higher salaries, on average, than their less-accomplished peers.
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| 2015 Algebra I Scores- Hoboken |
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| 2021 Algebra I Scores- Hoboken |
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| 2023-24 Algebra I Scores- Hoboken |
What does this actually mean for Hoboken High School? Here's an example: There are roughly 450 students in the high school. Almost all must take Algebra I. An 8% proficiency rate means there are roughly 36 students leaving the high school with grade level understanding of Algebra I and 414 who are not. And the data charts posted above show this has been ongoing at least since 2015.
Please note, this is a district with a 13:1 student teacher ratio, $27,000 per student, and 20% of student families qualifying for Free or Reduced lunch (see demographic data below).
It is doubtful anyone can find another district in the country that exhibits this type of educational outcomes with these types of resources.
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| Hoboken District Demographic Data CLICK TO ENLARGE |
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| Hoboken District Free or Reduced Lunch CLICK TO ENLARGE |
In conclusion, Higher levels of math achievement benefit you in the labor market regardless of whether you graduate high school. James notes that the earnings gap between high school grads with high and low math is about 10% — the same return, he says, as comes from one year of college.
* This includes any students who were enrolled in an Algebra I course and took the Algebra I assessment in grades 7 through 12. Students in sixth grade who were enrolled in Algebra I course during the 2021-22 school year were required to take both the Algebra I and Grade 6 mathematics assessment. The results of their Algebra I assessment are not included in these results but will be reported when the student in in grade 9.
