Author | Lightnews

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 8h

With this misplaced priority from many media outlets, it’s no surprise that too many parents are in the dark about how students are truly performing. Let’s use this data from @bellwetherorg.bsky.social to demand better, starting at home in #NJ:

bellwether.org/publications...

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 1d

The strategic plan of Belvidere School District provides an exemplary level of detail. Visualizing critical academic outcomes provides instant clarity on how the students are progressing. Read more in this report from the New Jersey Policy Institute:

newjerseypolicyinstitute.org/wp-content/u...

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 2d

Thanks to Montclair Local and Matt Kadosh for interviewing us to help introduce the problem we're striving to solve to more residents of Montclair. We can absolutely fix this and help every student succeed. And we absolutely must!

Montclair Local @montclairlocalnews.bsky.social · 2d

With significant ad buys in local media and on social media, along with storefront flyers and bright advertising on box trucks, a NJ advocacy group that says it “educates public school parents” about their kids’ schools is raising questions.

montclairlocal.news/2025/10/scho...

Schools Crunching Numbers After 'Wake Up Call NJ' Floods Montclair with Education Ads

Wake Up Call NJ says that 38% of local fourth graders “can’t do math at grade level,” a number that is based state standardized test scores for the 2023-24 academic year.

montclairlocal.news

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 2d

In addition to setting ambitious and measurable goals for academic achievement, Ramsey School District also built a public-facing dashboard tracking these proficiency indicators. Read more in this review of 50 school districts' strategic plans:

newjerseypolicyinstitute.org/wp-content/u...

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 2d

The strategic plan of Cherry Hill Public Schools recognizes the importance of continuous improvement, and uses measurable KPIs to achieve those goals. Read more actionable lessons in the report from the New Jersey Policy Institute:

newjerseypolicyinstitute.org/wp-content/u...

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 3d

Camden City School District's strategic plan sets out specific targets and deadlines for student outcomes. Read more about this leading examples of how strategic plans can best serve #NJ students in the report from the New Jersey Policy Institute:

newjerseypolicyinstitute.org/wp-content/u...

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 4d

Calculating area is a math skill students need for many reasons. Share this challenge with your kid and talk through it together. You can get more helpful exercises to build your child’s proficiency by grade level on our Math Checkups page: www.wakeupcallnj.com/mathcheckups

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 7d

Across the state, we’re not giving enough students the skills they need for college and career readiness. Let’s work together to give every child in NJ the education they deserve. Learn more at:

www.wakeupcallnj.com/nj-education...

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 8d

What’s missing from many #NJ school districts' strategic plans? Academic achievement. Learn more about this crucial oversight and the opportunity to make more of strategic plans:

newjerseypolicyinstitute.org/strategic-pl...

The Importance of Strategic Planning in New Jersey Schools - New Jersey Policy Institute

The Importance of Strategic Planning in New Jersey Schools Why Strategic Planning Matters New Jersey is often celebrated as a leader in public education, with high levels of funding and a reputation f...

newjerseypolicyinstitute.org

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 9d

@nichesocial.bsky.social l gives West Windsor school district an A+. Yet 32% of West Windsor's students are below grade level in math. Seems Niche believes in grade inflation.

www.niche.com/k12/d/west-w...

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 9d

The site @nichesocial.bsky.social just updated its school rankings. Montclair improved from A- to A in their metrics. Yet on the very same page, you can see that only 46% of Montclair Public School students are proficient in math. Do you think less than half of students at grade-level merits an A?

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 10d

1 hour of math instruction is known to improve math proficiency. Alabama mandates a minimum of 60 minutes of math instruction daily. How might #NJ students improve if we follow this and other states' commitments to rigorous focus on academic outcomes?

www.governing.com/policy/the-u...

The Urgent Case for Rebuilding Student Achievement

High school students’ math and reading proficiency levels are the lowest in decades. Only rigorous accountability and proven improvement strategies can turn that around.

www.governing.com

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 11d

Here’s a fun fact and brainteaser to you can share with your child. Solving the question requires four-digit subtraction - a second-grade standard. Is your student on grade-level? Get more quick and useful Math Checkups on our website: www.wakeupcallnj.com/mathcheckups

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 14d

Do NJ high schools want students to graduate with the math skills they need, or do they just want them to graduate? A diploma looks nice, but it alone won’t get the job done in college or the workforce. Let’s fix this honesty gap together. Join our mission at: wakeupcallnj.com

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 15d

Standardized test scores can feel disconnected from reality. Without context, it’s too easy to wave away a headline about our nation’s worst NAEP performance. This article shows the real-life impact for individuals, companies, NJ, and all of the U.S. Read more: www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/u...

What Declines in Reading and Math Mean for the U.S. Work Force

www.nytimes.com

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wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 16d

Parents are upset when confronted with these facts that schools would rather hide. They should be. Every kid in every district deserves a quality education. You can help create a plan to make this happen. Learn how to get involved in our latest newsletter:

mailchi.mp/wakeupcallnj...

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 17d

Pop quiz: what’s 2% of 1,500?

A) 30

B) the number of education articles that focused on academic outcomes

C) too few

D) all of the above

If you answered D, congratulations - and sorry. Let’s use this data from Bellwether to demand better, starting in NJ:

bellwether.org/publications...

A Year in Review: How National Media Covers K-12 education | Bellwether

bellwether.org

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 18d

We’re a month into the school year. Is your child ready to think critically? This question is a friendly way to introduce algebra. Get more empowering Math Checkups on our website: wakeupcallnj.com/mathcheckups

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 21d

Parents in Montclair likely moved to the area for the schools. But when the “best” districts aren’t producing good outcomes, it’s time for the whole state to be alarmed. Learn more at:

wakeupcallnj.com/montclair

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 22d

Students bring home As and Bs, but test scores tell another story. When 1/3 of kids are failing to meet grade level in the district considered 5th best in NJ, alarm bells should be ringing. Learn more and stand up for the education your child deserves at:

wakeupcallnj.com/wwp

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 23d

Montclair spends $23,000 per student, yet more than 6 out of every 10 students are failing to meet course expectations in Algebra. It’s fair to question what grades really mean - for both students and their schools. Learn more about this problem hiding in plain sight: wakeupcallnj.com/montclair

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 24d

90% of parents in the U.S. think their kid’s doing well in school. That percent is likely even higher in Montclair, since it’s considered one of “the good school districts.” You deserve the real story. You can get educated and get involved at:

wakeupcallnj.com/montclair

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 25d

Here’s some food for thought to share with your child. Math helps you plan the large and small parts of your life. Build more skills and gauge where your student might need extra skills with our Quick Math Checkups: wakeupcallnj.com/mathcheckups

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 28d

If this is the outcome in one of the top school districts in NJ, we know our math problem is statewide. But so is the opportunity. We must do better for our students who aren’t meeting grade-level standards. Learn how you can help at wakeupcallnj.com

wakeupcallnj.bsky.social @wakeupcallnj.bsky.social · 29d

74% of parents of K-12 students are satisfied with their OWN child’s education. But just 33% of those same parents think U.S. education overall is satisfactory. What’s behind this disconnect? Do you really know if your kids are on grade level?

news.gallup.com/poll/695174/...

Record-Low 35% in U.S. Satisfied With K-12 Education Quality

Americans' satisfaction with the quality of K-12 education in the U.S. is at a record-low 35%, and just 26% say it is headed in the right direction.

news.gallup.com