Berkeley Heights BOE presentation contradicts scores reported directly from the state

-Written by a non-politically connected Educator in the Community

At the March 18th, 2025 Berkeley Heights Board of Education (BOE) meeting, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Schools Mr. Dirk Phillips presented a report on district test scores from the 2023-24 school year including Advanced Placement (AP), PSAT, and SAT. Video of this presentation can be found here.

The report appeared to include strong, stable, and even slightly increasing SAT scores in math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) over the past five years. However, there is a discrepancy between the numbers reported by Mr. Phillips at the BOE meeting and the SAT numbers directly from the state where there is an actual drop in math scores. While there was also a minor discrepancy in the reading and writing scores reported, the reading and writing scores have been consistent the past six years. Below is the discrepancy:

This highlights a 23 point difference (23 fewer points) in the math SAT score reported versus the actual score.

This highlights a 3-point difference (increase in 3 points) in the reading/writing SAT score reported versus the actual score.

There is a 20 point difference (20 fewer points) in the composite score reported versus the actual score when comparing all districts.

Now, here is the correct chart of GLHS SAT scores for the prior six years:

What this means is that GLHS SAT math scores are actually the lowest they have been in the six years of reported data with the 23-point discrepancy. The Reading/Writing scores are consistent with the prior six years as there was only a three point discrepancy between the BOE report and the state numbers..

Additionally, the table shown below at the BH BOE meeting (with incorrect data) was neither alphabetical nor ranked from highest to lowest, which was not helpful.

Source Data:
NJ Performance Reports

BHPSNJ ACT/SAT Presentation 

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