TRENTON, September 18, 2015—This fall, the New Jersey School Boards Association, along with eight of the state’s county school boards associations, are hosting regional training sessions on the effective use of last spring’s PARCC assessments.
Dr. Bari Erlichson, assistant commissioner/chief performance officer for the New Jersey Department of Education, will address “Improving Student Learning and Outcomes: Preparing for PARCC Data” at each of the forums. (Board members may preview a copy of Dr. Erlichson’s presentation.)
The regional forums will address the meaning of the PARCC data, how the data should be used, and how to communicate the results to parents and the community.
The initial administration of the PARCC assessment took place in New Jersey public schools this spring. The NJDOE will release the results in late October. The data will give teachers, school administrators, school board members and parents important information about student learning and the effectiveness of instruction, according to the NJDOE.
“NJSBA’s goal in hosting the forums is to provide our members with the information and guidance they need to interpret the assessment data and use the results for the benefit of their students,” explained Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, the Association’s executive director, who is accompanying Dr. Erlichson at each of the forums. “Our Association is committed to working cooperatively with government and education organizations to promote effective school district governance, which is critical to advancing student achievement.”
The first forum, co-hosted by the Burlington County School Boards Association, took place September 17. Other regional meetings on the PARCC results are scheduled on the following dates:
- September 24—Morris County School Boards Association
- September 30—Middlesex County SBA
- October 1—Cape May County SBA
- October 5—Hudson County SBA
- October 6—Gloucester County SBA
- October 7—Hunterdon County SBA
- October 15—Ocean County SBA
The programs are open to all New Jersey local school board members, regardless of county of residence.
Board members may contact Marcia Lavigne or Patricia Rees for additional information.