Report Card Shows Cranford Schools Spend Less Per Student Than State Average

The Cranford School District spent less money per pupil than the state average last year, according to the annual School Report Cards released last week by the state Department of Education.

Cranford spent $13,565 per pupil during the 2008-2009 school year, compared to the state average of $15,168. Factors taken into consideration include, but are not limited to, classroom instructional costs, support services, administrative costs and equipment.

The School Report Cards are compiled each year to show the public how their schools are doing.

In addition to comparing a district's cost to the state average, the report also reveals how the district compares to other districts of a similar budget type. In that category (which does not encompass all of the expenses considered under the comparison to the state at large), Cranford spent $12,646 per pupil, compared to $13,601 at similar districts. Westfield's costs in this category came in at $11,781; Scotch Plains' at $13,759; and Summit's at $13,753.

Cranford's per pupil costs have come in slightly below the state average for the past three school years, but continue to rise by a few hundred dollars each year. In 2006-2007, the district spent $12,879 per pupil. That number rose to $13,156 in 2007-2008, and now to $13,565 for 2008-2009.

Other information revealed in the State Report Cards includes students' performance on state tests.

At the elementary school level, 73.3 percent of third graders scored at least proficient in language arts and 84.3 percent in math on the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJASK) test. In fourth grade, 77.4 percent scored at least proficient in language arts; 76.8 percent in math; and 96.3 percent in science.

At the middle schools, 77 percent of fifth graders scored at least proficient in language arts and 83.7 percent in math on NJASK. In sixth grade, 77 percent of students were at least proficient in language arts and 85.7 were in math. For seventh grade, 86.4 were at least proficient in language arts and math. Eighth grade: 94.1 percent were at least proficient in language arts, 86.3 percent were in math, and 93.7 percent were in science.

At the high school level, 90.6 percent of students scored at least proficient in language arts on the High School Proficiency Assessment test, with 21.9 percent of those being advanced. In mathematics, 83.1 percent of students scored at least proficient, with 30 percent of those being advanced.

The State Report Card also reveals that SAT scores for students at Cranford High School fall just below the district's. During 2008-2009, students scored an average of 542 on mathematics, 526 on verbal, and 531 on essay. In comparison, the District's Factor Group scored 574 on mathematics, 549 on verbal and 553 on essay.

Just over 90 percent of CHS graduates went on to a 4-year college/university in 2009. The school had a 99.6 percent graduation rate, compared to 99.2 percent in 2008 and 99.3 percent in 2007.