Friday, December 14, 2012
District numbers improve using new federal formula.
The high school graduation rate in Montclair increased nearly 4 percent in the last year using the new federally-mandated formula. The 2012 Montclair High School graduation rate was 92.49 percent, compared to 88.98 percent in 2011, according to the New Jersey Department of Education. This was the second year the state calculated graduation rates using the updated “four-year adjusted cohort” system. Scroll down to see how Montclair stacked-up against other Essex County high schools. The new formula was introduced by the state in May and was used to recalculate 2011 graduation rates. The new calculation lowered many districts' graduation rates for 2011, and drastically dropped the overall graduation rate in New Jersey from 94.7 percent…
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Synthetic marijuana becoming more prevalent in the district, reports Assistant Superintendent Felice Harrison.
The number of incidents of violence and vandalism reported in Montclair schools in 2011-12 was up by about 19 percent compared to the previous six years. The district’s annual Violence and Vandalism Report was presented to the Board of Education at its Monday meeting by Assistant Superintendent Felice Harrison. According to the Harrison, there were 45 incidents reported last year in Montclair schools, which were committed by 37 students -- 22 general education students and 15 special education students. Repairing the damaged property and graffiti, among other things, cost the district $1,641, according to the report. The overall number of incidents last year is up from 31 in 2010-11. Between 2006 and 2011, the average number of …
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
All 11 Montclair PTAs offer suggestions about how to improve the district.
New Montclair Superintendent Penny MacCormack convened a congress of Montclair’s 11 public school Parent Teacher Associations Tuesday at the Montclair Public Library to introduce herself and discuss her vision for the district. In addition to a get-to-know-you session, MacCormack, who began her tenure on Nov. 1, heard from invitees specifics of where their schools could be improved. “This is a great forum to build a foundation of listening and learning,” said MacCormack. “I’m inspired. I’m excited. I feel that taking the time to put together a plan ... is certainly the way to go. “Right now, I’m listening and learning in an effort to formulate a broader vision and build that strategic plan together with the community.” MacCormack …
I'd-Rather-Be-at-63
5:58 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013
esther, you are exactly right. More parental and student responsibility is needed to complement the excellent work teachers do in the classroom. This is all the more reason there needs to be accountability for every student who does not graduate from Montclair High School. This is a joint effort that needs to be undertaken collectively. The important point is, however, this is not a blame game. … more ›