'A Path to Graduation': Berkeley Heights Shares Strong Test Results, Plans for Students Still Working Toward the Standard

Berkeley Heights schools released results from the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment given to Governor Livingston High School juniors in spring 2026. The results show strong overall performance, with the district also identifying specific students who need targeted support.

Of 205 juniors tested, 191 students, or 93 percent, demonstrated graduation readiness in English language arts. In math, 180 students, or 88 percent, met the graduation standard. Both sections require a minimum score of 450. The English section aligns to 10th grade standards, while math covers Algebra I and geometry.

Berkeley Heights outperformed Union County averages by significant margins: 20 percentage points in English and 30 percentage points in math.

The breakdown by demographic groups showed consistent performance: 92 percent of Asian students, 91 percent of Hispanic students, and 96 percent of white students were graduation ready in English. In math, those figures were 88 percent, 79 percent, and 90 percent respectively. Male and female students performed similarly in English at 93 percent and 94 percent, though in math 90 percent of male students and 85 percent of female students met the standard.

The largest gap exists between general education and special education students. General education students were 98 percent graduation ready in both subjects, while 76 percent of special education students were graduation ready in English and 51 percent in math.

Twenty-six students, now seniors, are not yet graduation ready in one or both subjects. These students are participating in the district's EMSA intervention program, which provides 30 minutes of focused instruction twice weekly during lunch. They will retake failed sections in October.

Students can also meet graduation requirements through approved substitute tests such as the SAT, ACT, or PSAT, or through a portfolio process.

Looking forward, Board of Education President Deb Terrero suggested that earlier support before junior year could strengthen student outcomes. The math department plans to build identified struggling skills into current juniors' coursework to strengthen their algebra and geometry foundation. The district is also exploring online math programs like ALEKS to support students who struggle with algebra and geometry concepts.

For Union County Life readers, the Berkeley Heights results demonstrate strong district performance while also showing how focused intervention can support students who need additional help.

FAQ

Q: What is the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment?

A: The NJGPA is a state test given to 11th graders (juniors) to measure whether they are ready to graduate. Students must score at least 450 on both the English language arts and math sections. The English section is aligned to 10th grade standards, while math covers Algebra I and geometry.

Q: How did Berkeley Heights perform on the spring 2026 test?

A: Berkeley Heights performed well above state and county averages. Ninety-three percent of 205 juniors were graduation ready in English language arts, and 88 percent were graduation ready in math. The district outperformed Union County averages by 20 percentage points in English and 30 percentage points in math.

Q: What happens if a student doesn't meet the graduation standard?

A: Students who don't meet the standard on the NJGPA can retake the test in October. They may also meet graduation requirements through substitute tests (SAT, ACT, PSAT) or through an approved portfolio process.

Q: What support is available for students who are not yet graduation ready?

A: The district offers the EMSA intervention program. Students meet with a teacher for 30 minutes, twice a week during lunch, focusing on their specific test struggles. Twenty-six Berkeley Heights seniors are currently in this program preparing for the October retake.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap among Berkeley Heights students?

A: The largest gap exists between general education and special education students. General education students were 98 percent graduation ready in both subjects, while 76 percent of special education students were graduation ready in English and 51 percent in math.

Q: What is Berkeley Heights planning to improve student outcomes?

A: The math department plans to strengthen algebra and geometry skills in current juniors' coursework. The district is exploring online math programs like ALEKS to help students struggling with those concepts. Board of Education President Deb Terrero suggested providing earlier intervention before students take the test as juniors.