The spring issue of School Leader – the quarterly magazine of the New Jersey School Boards Association – includes a cover story that aims to demystify school rankings and ratings.

Daniel J. Ross, superintendent of Dunellen Public Schools, teamed up with Dr. Mark Schwarz, superintendent of Ridgewood Public Schools, to write the article, which shares lessons they learned on their journey of evaluating various ranking systems, surveying parents and staff and delving into student performance metrics. In 2022, the two men presented their findings at the NJSBA’s Workshop to a standing-room only crowd of more than 200 board members, administrators and superintendents.

In the article, they seek to help school board members and district leaders navigate the landscape of rankings and ratings systems, so they can better communicate “school quality” to their stakeholders.

The issue also includes a case study of how the Denville Township School District is doing everything it can to ensure the safety and security of students and staff. Other articles highlight:

  • Two esteemed school counselors, who explore how the role has changed over the years; they share insights on how school districts can better support students.
  • NJSBA’s advocacy agenda and why it is so important.
  • A Teaching Academy for Social Justice to train and recruit a diverse pool of future teachers at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School.
  • A policy update on a new law that requires New Jersey boards of education and charter school boards of trustees to develop and adopt a policy for the establishment of multidisciplinary “threat assessment teams.”

The issue includes an Executive Word by Dr. Timothy Purnell, executive director and CEO of the NJSBA, who highlights the Association’s quest to promote a culture of continuous improvement; a President’s Message by Karen Cortellino, M.D., president of the NJSBA, who shares wisdom on why the NJSBA’s Women’s Conference will pay dividends; insights from the Association’s Field Services Department and much more.

Read the spring issue of School Leader.