Mount Tabor Elementary Selected for Statewide Research to Boost Student Learning

Initiative explores the best practices that dozens of successful school districts have used to improve learning in response to the pandemic.Photo byMorristown Minute

Parsippany school joins NJ initiative to uncover innovative practices that help students recover from pandemic-related academic challenges.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Mount Tabor Elementary School has been selected as one of several New Jersey schools to participate in a statewide research project to discover innovative methods to accelerate student learning in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Promising Practices Project initiative is a collaboration between the New Jersey Department of Education, the New Jersey State Policy Lab, and the Joseph C. Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies at Rutgers University. The project seeks to identify and share successful strategies for improving student outcomes, particularly in English Language Arts and Mathematics.

Among 52 schools chosen from 47 districts and charter schools, Mount Tabor Elementary was recognized for its notable progress in helping students recover from pandemic-related learning losses. This recognition was based on a comparison of student performance before and after the pandemic, highlighting the school’s effective response.

“Working together to identify classroom-tested strategies that address our children’s most pressing academic needs is paramount,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Through the Promising Practices Project, we are pulling together invaluable first-hand feedback from educators across the state – from Sussex to Cape May – to support accelerated learning and ensure our students are on pace to meet their educational goals.”

Researchers from Rutgers are conducting interviews with educators and school leaders at these selected schools to document best practices. The findings will be compiled into a formal report, which will be shared with other schools across New Jersey to promote successful programs statewide.

The project will examine several aspects of education, including curriculum development, school climate, and supplemental student support programs, such as after-school and summer learning initiatives. Funded by a $1 million state allocation for the fiscal year 2023, the results will be distributed through presentations and educational resources to maximize impact.

“We hope that teachers statewide will be able to capitalize on the information in this initiative to provide students with innovative approaches tailored to their learning needs,” said Kevin Dehmer, Acting Education Commissioner. “We know that students throughout the state have struggled to fully recover academically in the post-pandemic world, and we remain committed to ongoing efforts to support their growth.”

Mount Tabor’s involvement highlights the dedication of its educators and the resilience of its students, serving as a model for schools across New Jersey aiming to accelerate learning recovery in the post-pandemic era.

Find a list of all selected schools in Northern Jersey here.

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