New Jersey’s State Highlights

Summary of Grades

New Jersey scores above average in three of the four graded policy categories inQuality Counts and just below average in one.

The state does well in standards and accountability. In part, it owes this strong showing to its academic standards, which have been rated clear and specific in nearly all core subjects and grade spans by the American Federation of Teachers. The exception is elementary social studies. The state does not fare as well on indicators of school accountability; it lacks policies to assist and sanction all low-performing schools.

In teacher quality, New Jersey also performs above average. It earns full credit for its efforts related to the professional support and training of teachers. The state is one of only 15 to require and finance mentoring for new teachers. It also has an extensive set of measures to hold schools and teacher education programs accountable for teacher quality.

In school climate, the state again earns an above-average grade. It fares particularly well on indicators related to class size and school facilities. School report cards include information on class size or pupil-teacher ratios. New Jersey also has a class-size-reduction program.

Resource equity is the only category in which New Jersey falls below average. For example, the state’s score on the coefficient-of-variation measure indicates a moderate degree of disparity in per-pupil funding levels across districts in the state.

Note: Details may not sum to totals due to rounding.