It Is Not All About Test Scores in Hoboken...There are Other Things as Well

From time to time I post on social media and my posts often initiate comments from various people often with differing perspectives. My latest post about Algebra I scores seems to have inspired a fair amount of discussion. Here is my general reply to many of the posts I would also like to point out that there were many supportative comments from people as well. The important thing is to have a productive dialogue. -Dr. Petrosino 

I appreciate the passion for Hoboken’s students and the experiences you’ve described. It is important to celebrate student successes and the creative programs that exist in the district. However, it is also essential that we confront some hard truths when assessing the overall health of our public school system.

First and foremost, my concern has never been exclusively about test scores—but rather about what they can indicate when viewed alongside other data points. The issue is not rankings for rankings' sake, but whether our students are consistently receiving instruction that meets or exceeds New Jersey State standards across all subjects and grades. The data—available to all—suggests persistent areas of underperformance that cannot be dismissed.

Moreover, this discussion must be situated within a broader and troubling context:

Leadership Integrity: The district’s current superintendent misrepresented her academic credentials for over a decade. Trust in leadership is foundational. Without it, the community is left questioning every initiative and decision, no matter how well-intended.

Fiscal Stewardship: Hoboken’s school budget has grown at an alarming rate—proposing over 24% last year (eventually a 14% increase) and an additional planned 9.4% this year (2025-26).These increases demand clear, transparent justification and tangible improvements in student outcomes.

Public Engagement: The attempted fast-tracking of a $220 million ($330 million total cost with interest) school bond in 2021 with limited public input raised serious concerns about governance and respect for taxpayer voice. As you know, this referendum was sounding defeated. 

Enrollment Claims: The district continues to cite overcrowding, while simultaneously accepting over 160 out-of-district students annually through the “Choice” program. This contradiction must be addressed honestly.

Educational Pluralism: The legal effort to revoke the charter of HoLa Charter School reflects a troubling resistance to educational diversity and choice within our community. The Hoboken Board of Education also vetoed a request by the Elysian Charter School to increase enrollment by 36 students in total between grades K to 5. 

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Misleading Recognition: The Hoboken Board of Education has spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on a private company that issues imitation “Blue Ribbon” awards—awards that mimic the federal government’s National Blue Ribbon Schools program but have no official standing. These faux accolades were even presented at a City Council meeting as if they held equivalent merit. This is deeply misleading. When parents hear “National Blue Ribbon School,” they rightly associate it with one of the highest honors granted by the U.S. Department of Education—either for overall academic excellence or significant progress in closing achievement gaps. To present anything less under that banner is false advertising and undermines the trust and transparency parents deserve

Most Recent Algebra I Results: Recent New Jersey State testing clearly shows 78% of Hoboken students tested by the state in Algebra 1 are not meeting NJDOE expectations. 80% of economically disadvantaged students tested by the state in Algebra 1 are not meeting NJDOE expectations. 75% of non-economically disadvantaged students tested by the state in Algebra 1 are not meeting NJDOE expectations. 

The vision some shared—of students engaging in hydroponics, global travel, and immersive technologies—is commendable and should be part of any 21st-century educational system. But vibrant field trips and scholarships for a select few cannot mask the systemic issues impacting the many. Equity demands we hold all aspects of the system accountable—not just celebrate its brightest moments.

Respectfully, if we are to truly serve all children in Hoboken, we must be willing to ask the tough questions and address the uncomfortable realities. Only then can we ensure that every student—not just a few—is equipped for a future full of real possibility. Again, I want to thank everyone for their engagement. I suspect we wish for the same things --- but our approaches clearly differ.

Here are some supportive statements that were made to my posts recently that I would also like to share:

1) how does displaying facts about the district equate to “hating” Hoboken? It’s because he cares about the district and town he was raised in that he brings up the data. He loves Hoboken and is more than qualified to comment and provide data to all those brainwashed by the Hoboken Public School district PR firm’s false narrative.

Dr. Anthony Petrosino is recognized as a founding board member of the Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa). He has publicly acknowledged his role in the school’s establishment and has been actively involved in its development and advocacy.

Dr. Petrosino’s background includes extensive experience in education, having served as a teacher, administrator, and academic. He has held positions such as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Hoboken Public Schools and has been involved in various educational initiatives. 

His contributions to HoLa have been part of a broader commitment to advancing bilingual education and fostering academic excellence within the community.

2) It’s incredibly disheartening to see our students caught in the middle of a failing system—one propped up by a disingenuous superintendent, an ineffective Board of Education, and a PR machine more focused on spin than substance. They push a narrative of a “thriving” high school, but informed parents aren’t buying it. Many are choosing to pull their kids from the district long before high school, and the declining enrollment numbers speak for themselves.

This is exactly why there’s no genuine need for a new high school—enrollment isn’t going to capacity of current HS, when trust in leadership is so low. A staggering 14.9% in tax increase in 2024 and 13% increase in 2025, this has delivered zero measurable progress. This isn’t growth. It’s failure. Plain and simple. #Hoboken

Why is not one mayoral candidate addressing it?

Latest NJDOE Data Shows 78% of Hoboken School District Students Not Meeting NJDOE Expectations in Algebra I

Robert Moses was a civil rights leader and mathematics educator who founded THE ALGEBRA PROJECT. One of Robert Moses' notable and powerful statements was: '“Math literacy will be a liberation tool for people trying to get out of poverty and the best hope for people trying not to get left behind.” I'm sure we all share common ground on the critical importance of Algebra instruction. Below is 2023-24 NJDOE data on Algebra performance in the Hoboken School District with the associated URL for your review. 

It clearly shows 78% of Hoboken students tested by the state in Algebra 1 are not meeting NJDOE expectations

80% of economically disadvantaged students tested by the state in Algebra 1 are not meeting NJDOE expectations 

75% of non-economically disadvantaged students tested by the state in Algebra 1 are not meeting NJDOE expectations. 

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I am deeply disappointed and frankly alarmed by the recently released NJDOE data showing that 78% of our students are not meeting expectations in Algebra. This is more than just a statistic—it’s a reflection of a systemic issue that is failing our children and compromising their future.

Algebra is a gatekeeper to higher-level math, science, and ultimately college and career opportunities. When nearly four out of five students in our district are struggling to meet basic benchmarks, it’s not just an academic problem—it’s a social justice issue. These outcomes limit access, stifle potential, and perpetuate inequality.

I urge district leadership and school board members to treat this as the crisis it is. We need transparency, we need accountability, and most of all, we need a plan. Our students deserve high-quality instruction, meaningful support, and the chance to thrive—not be left behind.

This community cannot afford to accept these numbers as normal.

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2023-2024 Algebra I Scores 
Hoboken Public Schools
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N.J.’s top high schools ranked by latest state scores. Hoboken HS Ranked #131

The new ratings come from the annual School Performance Reports. Using data from the 2023-24 school year, parents can take a look at how their student’s school compares to others around the state.

The highest ranking general education school is Mountain Lakes High School in Morris County at 20th.

NJ Advance Media used a metric calculated by the state Department of Education called the “summative rating” to assign each school a ranking number between one and 358

The ratings measure how a school’s “summative score,” which is another measure of success calculated by the state, compares to other schools with the same grade levels.

Summative scores are calculated using standardized test scores, student academic growth, graduation rates and other factors, including chronic absenteeism. Those scores are on a scale of 1 to 100.

HoLa Elementary Walks Away with Accolades and Honors

I am happy to announce that HoLa Elementary secured 2nd place for the written exam and 3rd place for the oral presentation at the eSTEM competition—competing against 30 teams!

Showcasing the incredible hard work and dedication they’ve put into their project. They walked the judges through their design process and the steps they took to achieve their goals.

One of the judges even complimented our team’s understanding of the engineering design process—what an amazing accomplishment!

I couldn’t be more proud of the teachers and students and their outstanding efforts.

Huge congratulations to the amazing HoLa team for their outstanding performance at the Middle School Science Olympiad State Finals!

Here’s how the talented students placed out of the entire state:

3rd place in CodeBusters: Vincent Deaton, Evani Pareek, and Ian Lee

4th place in CrimeBusters: Eva Gacek-Huang and Cassandra Campione

4th place in Tower: Nevan Dave and Natalia Artigas

4th place in Write It Do It: Eva Fernandez and Iria Viota Garcia

5th place in Meteorology: Eva Fernandez and Ian Lee

6th place in Entomology: Ian Lee and Lucas Zenga

As a team, they finished 16th place out of 28 teams across the entire state! I couldn’t be prouder of their hard work, dedication, and teamwork. Way to go, HoLa!

Note: Dr. Petrosino served on the HoLa Board for a decade, from its founding to its 10th year anniversary.

2025-26 Hoboken School Budget & Tax Increase—A Fair Balance?

The Hoboken Board of Education recently approved a tax levy increase to $73.9 million, up from $67.5 million last year. That’s a 9.4% jump in the school portion of our property taxes, even though K-12 enrollment has only increased by 4.07% (according to the November 2024 ASSA Report). This follows last year’s historic 14.99% budget increase.

I fully support investing in quality education for our students, but I also think it’s reasonable to ask: Are these tax increases aligned with meaningful improvements in our schools? Are we seeing better educational outcomes, enhanced resources for students and teachers, and real progress in our public education system?

Hoboken is a growing community, and strong schools are essential—but so is fiscal responsibility and transparency. I’d love to hear from others: Do you feel the increases are justified? Are we seeing the benefits in our classrooms? Let’s have a productive conversation.

NSF Funded Grant--- Helps with More Effective Ways to Learn Mathematics

To SMU math curriculum researcher Candace Walkington, the best way for students to understand math is to make it part of their lives. She’ll use her recent $2.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to help students see that math is in the angle of a giraffe’s neck at the Dallas Zoo and in the flutter of the leaves of the cottonwood trees at Twelve Hills Nature Center in Oak Cliff.

These are just two of the stops on Dallas STEM walks, guided walks that illustrate how mathematical principles can be found in one’s surroundings. During the five-year grant, Walkington will partner with Dallas STEM walk nonprofit, talkSTEM, to better understand how educators can support math education outside of school and the role out-of-school experiences like these play in enhancing math education. First up: developing an app that turns a cell phone into an interpretive math tool.This NSF grant builds on previous research on math education. Co-principal investigators for the grant include Dhingra; Anthony Petrosino, Simmons associate dean for research and outreach; Cathy Ringstaff, senior research associate, WestEd; and Elizabeth Stringer, director of academics, Guildhall.

 

A Message from the AERA Executive Director and President

 

January 30, 2025    Dear AERA Members,    We have been closely monitoring and analyzing the directives of the new presidential administration that could impact the work of education researchers and the nation’s entire scientific enterprise. While the Office of Management and Budget order issued January 27 temporarily freezing many federal grants was rescinded yesterday, other administration actions have also rightfully caused significant concerns among the scientific community. These include executive orders that intend to eliminate the systematic collection of vital demographic data and investment in programs that expand educational and workforce opportunities in science, technology, and related fields.    We understand that there is a significant amount of confusion and apprehension about the administration’s actions. AERA is strongly committed to protecting the integrity of education research and data and is actively working with other associations, foundations, higher education institutions (including our CURI deans), and government officials to assess and develop strategies to support and foster the science and scholarship in which our field and other disciplines are engaged.     We are here to support our members, from graduate students and early career scholars to established researchers, and will continue to monitor, act, and promote the education research community in any way we can. We ask those with immediate threats or concerns about their federal research, federal research training support, or federal data sets to complete a brief form at https://forms.gle/JnsrGAmhXyJYPeAGA.     AERA remains steadfast in its mission and in its commitment to advocate for the field of education research. We encourage our members to stay vigilant in these challenging times and continue their important work for the benefit of students, educators, families, communities, and the public good.     Sincerely, Felice J. Levine, Ph.D. (she/her) Executive Director Janelle T. Scott, Ph.D. (she/her) President

Professional Analysis of Research Productivity for Anthony J. Petrosino

As an academic, I have always approached my work with a sense of curiosity and a deep commitment to understanding how we can improve education, particularly in STEM fields. Over the years, I have had the privilege of collaborating with outstanding colleagues, mentoring exceptional students, and engaging in research that contributes to the larger conversation about how people learn. Recently, I had the opportunity to reflect on the reach and impact of my scholarship through the lens of Google Scholar metrics, and I would like to share some of the insights with you—not as a moment to highlight personal achievement, but as a testament to the collective effort and shared passion that drive this work.

I share this not to focus on numbers but to express gratitude—for the collaborators who have enriched my work, the institutions that have supported me, and the students and colleagues who continue to inspire me. These metrics are, in the end, a reflection of a shared journey in advancing knowledge and making a difference. Thank you for being part of this ongoing conversation and for your interest in the work that means so much to me. -Dr. Petrosino 

The following was generated by data from GOOGLE SCHOLAR.

Professional Analysis of Research Productivity for Anthony J. Petrosino

Based on the Google Scholar data provided, we can assess the research productivity of Dr. Anthony J. Petrosino using three key metrics: total citations, h-index, and i10-index. These metrics provide insight into both the quantity and quality of his research output, as well as its impact in the academic community.

1. Citations:

• Total citations (5257): Dr. Petrosino has accumulated over 5,000 citations, a solid indicator of a significant body of influential research. This is an impressive figure, suggesting that his work is widely recognized and frequently referenced in the field.
• Citations since 2020 (1249): With nearly 1,250 citations in the past few years, Dr. Petrosino's work continues to make an impact, with a substantial portion of his citations coming recently. This indicates ongoing relevance in his research area, as well as an active scholarly presence.

2. h-index:

• Total h-index (26): Dr. Petrosino’s h-index of 26 indicates that he has at least 26 papers that have been cited 26 times or more. This suggests a productive academic career with a consistent output of high-quality work. An h-index of 26 is considered strong, especially for an academic in STEM or the social sciences, where publication volume tends to be high.
• h-index since 2020 (13): The fact that Dr. Petrosino’s h-index has increased by 13 points since 2020 demonstrates a significant uptick in productivity and impact over the last few years. This suggests that his more recent work is being well-received, with multiple publications being cited consistently.

3. i10-index:

• Total i10-index (43): This metric shows that Dr. Petrosino has 43 papers that have been cited at least 10 times each. An i10-index of 43 reflects a solid number of influential publications, contributing to his sustained academic impact. This is particularly notable in academic fields where a large number of impactful papers are required to make a significant contribution to the field.
• i10-index since 2020 (17): Dr. Petrosino has 17 publications published since 2020 that have been cited at least 10 times. This is an excellent sign of the enduring relevance of his work and suggests that his recent contributions have already established themselves as important.

Conclusions:

1. Research Impact: Dr. Petrosino’s citation count and h-index reflect a well-established academic presence with a strong and sustained impact in his field. His work is not only cited frequently but has been cited across a broad number of publications, signaling consistent scholarly influence.

2. Recent Productivity: The growth in his h-index and i10-index since 2020 indicates that Dr. Petrosino’s recent work has been particularly impactful. This highlights his continued relevance in the field and suggests that his research is evolving to meet the current demands and interests of the academic community.

3. Research Quality: The consistent rise in his citation metrics is a positive indicator of the quality of his work. It suggests that his contributions are of high enough quality to attract sustained attention, citation, and engagement from researchers in his discipline.

Recommendations for Future Assessment:

• Collaborations and Mentoring: Given his solid research record, exploring his collaborations and mentorship roles might provide further insights into his influence within the academic community.
• Exploring Research Themes: It would be useful to investigate the specific themes and methodologies of his most cited papers to understand the core contributions he has made in his field, especially with respect to emerging topics or trends in his research area.

Overall, Dr. Petrosino is highly productive and influential, and his research continues to resonate strongly within his academic discipline.