Analysis of 2019 and 2022 Graduation Pathways: Hoboken High School - only 8% Graduating via the Traditional Route in Mathematics

While Hoboken High School has a recognized and applaudable overall graduation rate of 99%, a closer examination of the data reveals a more concerning story. 

The NJDOE allows 3 different graduation pathways, Traditional (NJSLA/PARCC); Substitute Competency; and Portfolio. 

2019 data shows only 15% of students graduating via the traditional route in Mathematics and 30% in English Language Arts or ELA. 2022 data show only 8% graduating via the traditional route in Mathematics. 

The preponderance of non traditional HS graduation pathways in 2019 in ELA and Mathematics and in 2022 in Mathematics reveals a serious deficiency in mathematics instruction at the secondary level as well as a need to look at ELA instruction more rigorously. 

Figure 1: USN&WR 2022
CLICK TO ENLARGE

Figure 2: HHS 2019 2022 HS Graduation Pathways
CLICK TO ENLARGE

English Language Arts and Literacy (ELA)

If, after completing the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment in grade 11, students did not demonstrate proficiency by passing the ELA component, such students may access the following pathways:

• Second Pathway: By meeting the designated cut score on a substitute competency test such as the PSAT, SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER; or
• Third Pathway: By submitting, through the district, a student portfolio appeal to the New Jersey Department of Education.

Mathematics

If, after completing the required New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment in grade 11, students did not demonstrate proficiency by passing the mathematics component, such students may access the following pathways:

• Second Pathway: By meeting the designated cut score on a substitute competency test such as the PSAT, SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER; or
• Third Pathway: By submitting, through the district, a student portfolio appeal to the New Jersey Department of Education.

Previosuly Unscheduled Hoboken Board of Education Meeting to be Held Tonight - August 15, 2023 6PM Hoboken HS Auditorium

 Hoboken School Board's NEW (previously unplanned) meeting is raising concerns especially given recent history. A BOE meeting with a limited agenda (3 items) and little details.

NJDOE Math Scores for 2019 and 2022 in Hoboken Middle and Hoboken High School are Abysmal

The importance of mathematics to your child's success can not be overstated. Basic math is a necessity, but even abstract math can help hone critical thinking skills — even if your child chooses not to pursue a STEM-style career. Math can help them succeed professionally, emotionally and cognitively.

Recent mathematics scores in the Hoboken Public Schools are abysmal. Only 9% of Middle and High School students were proficient in Math in 2019 (Figure 1) and 8% were proficient in the most recent Math NJDOE scores in 2022 (Figure 2). 

Has Superintendent Christine Johnson presented the community with a plan? Has the Director of Mathematics Instruction discussed remediation efforts at a Board Meeting? Is ANYONE accountable for these extremely low scores? 

Figure 1: US News and World Report 2019

Figure 2: US News and World Report 2022

HoLa Dual Language Continues to Excel in Hoboken - Every 8th Grader Passes the Pathway to Biliteracy Assessment!

The HoLa Dual Language School in Hoboken reports that EVERY single 8th grade 2023 HoLa graduate met or surpassed the criteria for the Pathway to Biliteracy assessment! Transcripts and report cards have been updated to indicate the Pathway to Biliteracy designation.

Founded in 2010, Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa) is the first and only free public Spanish + English Dual Language Charter School in New Jersey. The school educates 420+ Students from K to 8th. Dr. Petrosino was a founding Board member of HoLa

Last spring, HoLa was also one of just two schools in New Jersey to participate in the initial pilot administration of a new bilingual proficiency assessment called Pathway to Biliteracy, developed collaboratively through a partnership with the organizations Foreign Language Educators of New Jersey (FLENJ) and New Jersey Teachers of English to Students of Other Languages / New Jersey Bilingual Educators (NJTESOL-NJBE).

The assessment includes reading, writing, listening and speaking components, and was designed specifically for graduating 8th graders, to determine whether they have mastered an established level of bilingual proficiency and are on track to receive the Seal of Biliteracy on their High School diplomas in 12th grade.

Note: HoLa is annually ranked by the New Jersey Department of Education as a top performing school in the state — in 2023, ranking in the top 5% of all New Jersey Public Schools. HoLa is also designated as a Dual Language Model Program for the state. The Middle School is the first in the state to have its curriculum approved for the College Board’s AP exam program, enabling students to take the Spanish AP exam in 8th grade to qualify for college credits.

Supreme Court Strikes Down College Affirmative Action Programs- Race and Class at Elite Schools

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down affirmative action programs at the University of North Carolina and Harvard in a major victory for conservative activists, ending the systematic consideration of race in the admissions process.

The court ruled that both programs violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution and are therefore unlawful. The vote was 6-3 in the UNC case and 6-2 in the Harvard case, in which liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was recused.

Below is a chart used by Harvard for their undergraduate admissions. 

Why colleges should consider both race and class in admissions

"In the United States, economic inequality isn’t race-neutral; it works in conjunction with race. According to the Urban Institute, in 2016, the average white family’s wealth was seven times greater than the average black family’s and five times greater than that of the average Latino family’s. The racial wealth gap is real and persistent. An admissions system that considers only class without addressing race will fall short of fostering diversity, both racial and socioeconomic.

Don’t believe the myth that all of the black kids at Harvard are rich. According to William Bowen and Derek Bok’s now-classic defense of affirmative action at elite colleges, The Shape of the River, black students were seven times more likely to come from poor families than white students. Also, as you might guess, a much higher percentage of white students than black students fell into the top socioeconomic category (44 percent for whites, 15 percent for blacks)." - Julia Park (Education Week)

NJDOE School Rankings Released - See How Your Hoboken Public School Did

For the first time in five years, the New Jersey Department of Education rated every high school’s performance based on tests results, graduation rates and other factors.

Ratings for the 2021-22 school year consider standardized test scores, student academic growth, graduation rates and other factors such as chronic absenteeism. It grades schools from 0-99, calling it their summative score.

Schools that offer the same grade levels are compared to each other and assigned a percentile rating from 0-100 called their summative rating.


The primary purpose of the ratings is not to rank schools or assign grades, said Mike Yaple, a spokesman for the state Department of Education. The data can identify successes and challenges and help start conversations about improving education for all students, he said.


Each category that goes into a school’s score is weighted 50% on a school’s overall performance and 50% on the performance of important subgroups, such as African American, Hispanic, special education or economically disadvantaged students.

Click to Enlarge 

Hoboken High School has made progress from the previous administration of this NJDOE scoring system but still remains behind the other Hoboken Public Schools. 

Fall 2022 Enrollment for Hoboken School District's Choice Program - Disaggregated by Grade

 The following counts are as of October 2022 (latest available) from the NJ Dept. of Education. "Choice" enrollment by grade throughout the Hoboken School District. In a district with self described "exploding" enrollment, might it be time to sunset the Choice program by accepting no new students but *OF COURSE* graduating whoever is currently enrolled and designated as CHOICE?

Click to Enlarge 

Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa) Clap Out- 2023

Each year, graduating 8th graders from the Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa) are celebrated by their peers with a "clap-out" (see video below) as they walk out of the school for the last time as a class. It is a touching tribute as well as a standing tradition - and one of the many things that makes the Hoboken Dual Language Charter School truly a special place. I had the honor and pleasure serving as a Board Member for the initial decade of the school's founding. -Dr. Petrosino 

Founded in 2010, Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa) is the first and only free public Spanish + English Dual Language Charter School in New Jersey. Thew school educates 420+ Students from K to 8th.

HoLa is a US News & World Report top New Jersey Elementary & Middle School (Private & Public).

HoLa is annually ranked by the New Jersey Department of Education as a top performing school in the state — in 2023, ranking in the top 5% of all New Jersey Public Schools. 

HoLa is also designated as a Dual Language Model Program for the state.

The Middle School is the first in the state to have its curriculum approved for the College Board’s AP exam program, enabling students to take the Spanish AP exam in 8th grade to qualify for college credits.

2022 SAT Mathematics Scores- Hudson County High Schools with Greater than 50% Low Income Enrollment

Mathematics and especially Algebra is associated with success in occupational choice and college success. Below is the data of the most recent SAT scores in Mathematics from Hudson County public high schools with more than 50% low income student enrollment and the same data plotted onto a readable chart. The line dividing the data points in the chart is a regression line. Schools above the line are performing BETTER than expected based on the socio economic level of the school population. Schools below the line are performing WORSE than expected based on the socio economic level of the school population. HHS is the red dot. 

Click to Enlarge

2022 SAT Reading Scores- Hudson County High Schools with Greater than 50% Low Income Enrollment

 Reading is a critical and lifelong skill. Below is the data of the most recent SAT scores in Reading from Hudson County public high schools with more than 50% low income student enrollment and the same data plotted onto a readable chart. The line dividing the data points in the chart is a regression line. Schools above the line are performing BETTER than expected based on the socio economic level of the school population. Schools below the line are performing WORSE than expected based on the socio economic level of the school population. HHS is the red dot.

Click to Enlarge 

New Jersey Department of Education tests Mathematics While the Hoboken School District Hypes PLTW

It is easy to say things are great, but it is hard to live up to claims of greatness. Take for instance the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) program in the Hoboken School District. For years this program has received accolades as an example of wonderful curriculum and as a "great" academic program. But when we look a little closer--- at independent data-- we find that in middle and high school only 8% of students are proficient in mathematics.

We are left to wonder what type of "great" pre-engineering program can be leading to a situation where only 8% of students are proficient in mathematics? What is taking place in mathematics classrooms in the district where only 8% of students are performing proficiently? And as recent US News and World Report data shows, College Readiness is rather low for the school coming in at 295 out of 406 New Jersey High Schools (see data below).

Click to Enlarge

Programs like PLTW certainly have their place in a varied elementary, middle, and high school curriculum-- but unless these students are getting the proper education and preparation in mathematics and are college ready-- the district is failing these students and their families in the area of STEM education.

In short, the New Jersey Department of Education tests Mathematics, whereas the Hoboken district hypes PLTW.

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

I am very proud of what Hoboken public schools as we advance our mission towards educational excellence and empower students with valuable skills for success in education, the world of work, and life in general,”said Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Christine Johnson *

* This quote was reported in hMag on June 14, 2018, more than 4 years before Christine Johnson received her doctorate from Drew University. 

LETTER: Honesty & integrity are the most important qualifications of a superintendent

In a letter to the editor of Hudson County View, Hoboken resident Denise Guarino details why she believes honesty and integrity are the most important qualifications of a superintendent of schools.

Dear Editor, 

In Hoboken, issues have come to light that the Superintendent of Schools – Christine Johnson – has been deliberately using the title “Dr.” for the last 13 years without having received her degree. It was not until August of 2022 that Johnson had her doctoral degree (D. Litt) conferred at Drew University.

She used the title “Dr” while a superintendent in Boonton and she has used the title of “Dr” since being hired in Hoboken in 2015. To be clear, she is a certified superintendent. That is not at question. But she has been consciously misinforming the public about her educational title and accomplishments. By doing so she has enjoyed the prestige, deference, honor, and assumed expertise our society and our community places on anyone who has earned their doctorate.

Superintendent Johnson’s deliberate use of an educational title she did not earn for 13 years is a serious and morally bankrupt offense, certainly narcissistic and unethical.

Her other degrees or professional achievements are irrelevant in the face of such misrepresentation. It’s alarming that the Hoboken Board of Education has not made a responsible statement condemning this action.

Is lying the new normal in Hoboken leadership? Are we to believe there are no consequences for misrepresentation? Educational leaders must exhibit exemplary behavior. Johnson’s actions set negative examples for our students. Every student in our district deserves a leader who upholds moral and ethical standards with integrity.

It’s not a question of whether Superintendent Johnson possesses the necessary degrees or certifications for the job; rather, it’s about issues of honesty, integrity, personal responsibility, transparency and selfishness.

It’s unacceptable that the Hoboken Board of Education would be supportive of such a large breach of the district’s ethical code of conduct.

Superintendent Johnson also showed significant disrespect for the Drew University PhD program by claiming a degree for over a decade, prior to it being conferred. This was not an isolated incident or mistake but rather intentional fraud that had gone on for some time.

Our children are entitled to a leadership team that prioritizes values, principles, and honesty above all else.

To Superintendent Johnson I would like to say, when one engages in deceit and deception, their reputation is tarnished, and they can no longer be trusted. The community is asking you to use this as a teachable moment for our students.

Tell them it was wrong to lie, misrepresent and claim an educational title not conferred. Think about others, not yourself in this matter. You are not being attacked, you are being asked to be accountable for your behavior.

Does accountability matter to you, is it something students should learn?

Assuming Superintendent Johnson and the Board of Education, continue not to address this irresponsible conduct, I am encouraging all Hoboken High School seniors, to use their graduation commencement as an opportunity to protest, by refraining from acknowledging Superintendent Johnson with a handshake upon receiving their diploma.

This would serve as a way to demonstrate to their community and their parents that they have developed critical life skills related to honesty, integrity, and transparency, despite the lack of a positive example from Superintendent Johnson, our students understand the difference between right and wrong.

Respectfully,

Denise Guarino
Hoboken resident