State Names Woodland a 'Reward School'

The Department of Education has awarded its highest recognition in a new statewide accountability system.

Word came via Mayor Carolann Garafola, who had been called by the office of Gov. Chris Christie with news Woodland was named a "reward school." According to Garafola, she was told Woodland is one of just 122 schools in New Jersey to be named a "reward school."

"The commendation was based on Woodland’s students’ high level of student growth, measured using their median student growth percentiles over time on the NJASK," Woodland Principal Christopher Huss said. He said the student growth percentiles are calculated by the state by measuring each student’s growth over a period of time, as measured against other students who score in a similar range.

In the new system, schools receive either a "priority," "focus" or "reward" designation.

"This recognition is a testament to years of hard work and dedication of all of Woodland’s teachers and support staff; and to the commitment that they have made on a daily basis to improving students' academic growth," Dr. Huss said. "We haven't made any major overhauls to directly target NJASK scores, but we have made some changes to ensure that we are addressing as many state standards as possible and we have tried to increase the amount of time available for high quality instruction by reducing interruptions and streamlining the schedule.

"In all honesty, though, the credit goes to the teachers and support staff who work diligently to provide a consistently rigorous and balanced education to the students every day," he added.

Superintendent of Schools Tami Crader received a certificate noting the achievement at Thursday's meeting.