Research Overview
Our research analyzes statewide achievement test data for students in math and science in public schools in New Jersey. Math Assessment data (PARCC Math tests, grades 3-8, Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and Geometry) was obtained from publicly accessible files obtained from the NJ Department of Education for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. Science Assessment data (NJ Assessment of Student Knowledge in grades 4 and 8 and the Biology Content Test) was also obtained from the NJ Department of Education for the years 2016 and 2017. 2018 Science data was not released by the NJDOE as the tests underwent a substantial change and the data is being used by the state to determine cut scores for proficiency and baseline data.
The cartographic boundary outlines of the school districts were obtained from the US Census Bureau in Keyhole Markup Language (KML). Conversions of the cartographic and assessment data were performed by: Google Fusion Tables, GeoJson.io, MapBox GL JavaScript and MapBox Studio.
For this first phase of the project, we have selected a total of 52 districts to investigate (nearly 10% of all the districts in the state). The selected districts represent all 8 District Factor Groups (DFGs), and are concentrated in the northern half of the state. Currently, only overall district data are included in the interactive features of the map. Future projects for the map visualization project involve student achievement data for all the districts in the state, as well as inclusion of data for different factors such as gender, race, economic status and ESL.
Upcoming phases of the project will involve the development of white papers for individual districts that outline areas of opportunity for specific and timely professional development involving curriculum, instruction and assessment.
Current published URL of the project