Important note about SGF vs SGP

Performance & Growth
The Performance and Growth Chart on the School Snapshots for Families is a key indicator of a school’s performance and progress. The chart plots the average NJASK Language Arts Literacy scale scores versus the median Student Growth Percentile (SGP). It is important to note that the current School Snapshots for Families for the2012-13 school year chart the median Student Growth Factor (SGF) instead of the median Student Growth Percentile (SGP). SGF differs from SGP in that it measures a student’s growth relative to his or her academic peers in Newark instead of across New Jersey. Once the state releases statewide NJASK results, the SGP can be calculated and included in an updated Performance and Growth Chart.

The update from SGF to SGP will potentially impact a school’s performance designation. (See table below for performance designations.) For example, a school could currently have an average NJASK scale score above the proficiency level and a SGF just above the median of 50, putting it in the upper right quadrant.However, when the SGP is calculated, while the average NJASK scale score will remain above the proficiency level, a school could find its median SGP below50. The school would be in the upper left quadrant thus updating its performance designation from “great” to “good.”

While the SGF is a good indicator of growth, one must remember that the growth is relative to students in Newark. The SGP is a more comprehensive indicator of growth because it measures progress relative to all students in the state. As a result, schools should be prepared to see differences between their calculated SGF and SGP.

Performance Designations in the Quadrant Chart

Upper left quadrant, “Good” – Schools in this quadrant have an average NJASK scale score above the proficiency rate of 200 but have a SGF less than 50. They demonstrate high performance but low growth. Upper right quadrant, “Great” – Schools in this quadrant have an average NJASK scale score above the proficiency rate of 200 and have a SGF greater than 50. They demonstrate both high performance and high growth.
Lower left quadrant, “Falling Behind” – Schools in this quadrant have an average NJASK scale score below the proficiency rate of 200 and have a SGF less than 50. They demonstrate low performance and low growth. Lower right quadrant, “On the Move” – Schools in this quadrant have an average NJASK scale score below the proficiency rate of 200 but have a SGF greater than 50. They demonstrate low performance but high growth.