Bloomingdale, Butler, Kinnelon Schools Ranked In New Listing

Bloomingdale, Butler and Kinnelon schools were rated in a controversial state-generated list which scored public schools in New Jersey on a scale of 1-100.

There were a total of 2,088 public schools on the list.

Bloomingdale

• Samuel R. Donald Elementary School was 865 on the list with a 58.60 score
• Walter T. Bergen Middle School was 1303 on the list with a 37.60 score

Butler

• Richard Butler School was 633 on the list with a 69.72 score
• Aaron Decker School was 934 on the list with a 55.26 score
• Butler High School was 1018 on the list with a 51.27 score

Kinnelon

• Stonybrook Elementary School was 151 on the list with a 92.86 score
• Kinnelon High School was 267 on the list with a 87.32 score
• Pearl R. Miller Middle School was 626 on the list with a 70.08 score

According to the New Jersey Department of Education, the high school scores are based on graduation and absenteeism rates and standardized scores. Elementary and middle school scores factor in absenteeism, standardized test scores and student progress.

The 2020 data, established before the coronavirus shut schools in March, has drawn criticism from some who say it is unfair to compare elementary and high schools. The New Jersey School Boards Association has said a single grade by itself "draws an incomplete picture of school performance and the quality of education provided to its students."

But others, such as the New Jersey PTA, say it gives parents better tools to evaluate their child's education.

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

The ratings were established to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which replaced the controversial No Child Left Behind Act. Marine Academy of Science and Technology in Monmouth County was ranked first overall, and you can see the full list in our previous coverage.

This post contains reporting by Tom Davis.

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