Controversial State Report Grades Bloomfield Schools

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — For the second year in a row, New Jersey has released its controversial rating system that graded every school on a 1-100 scale — a system educators say paints an incomplete picture of the state's 2,100 schools.

The new ratings, which were released Wednesday, were established to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which replaced the controversial No Child Left Behind Act.

The ratings for high schools are based on graduation and absenteeism rates and PARCC scores, while elementary and middle school scores are based on absenteeism, PARCC and student progress on PARCC tests, according to the state Department of Education.

>> See the entire list here: Every NJ School Graded In Newly Released State Report

Based on the reports, it appears that schools that finished with at least a 50 score could be considered average. Schools that finish in the top 20 percent are considered above average.

Here's how Bloomfield's schools did in the latest round of scoring:

• OAK VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BLOOMFIELD TWP, ESSEX 81.37
• BROOKDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BLOOMFIELD TWP, ESSEX 73.63
• DEMAREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BLOOMFIELD TWP, ESSEX 65.90
• BLOOMFIELD HIGH SCHOOL, BLOOMFIELD TWP, ESSEX 45.24
• BLOOMFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL, BLOOMFIELD TWP, ESSEX 40.96
• FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BLOOMFIELD TWP, ESSEX 40.60
• FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BLOOMFIELD TWP, ESSEX 35.76
• CARTERET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BLOOMFIELD TWP, ESSEX 35.08
• BERKELEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BLOOMFIELD TWP, ESSEX 22.33
• WATSESSING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BLOOMFIELD TWP, ESSEX 18.57

MORE ABOUT THE SCORES

ESSA was enacted in 2015, and it was intended to "build on key areas of progress in recent years, made possible by the efforts of educators, communities, parents, and students across the country," according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Frank Belluscio, a spokesman for the New Jersey School Boards Association, has said a single number or letter grade by itself "draws an incomplete picture of school performance and the quality of education provided to its students."

On the other hand, New Jersey PTA president Rose Acerra has said "parents now have more information than ever before."

"They have the tools to ask questions of their teachers and other stakeholders such as the superintendent, principal, and Board of Education," she said.

This article contains reporting by Tom Davis, Patch national staff

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