QSAC Report Gives High Marks in Five Key Performance Categories
June 13, 2023
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER) – The Robbinsville Public Schools received some welcomed news this morning – a notice from the state Department of Education that essentially gives the school district an “A” grade.
The findings – following mandatory financial audits and a comprehensive review by the state –show the Robbinsville Public Schools are “high performing,” financially strong, and operating at peak performance, as per the Quality Single Accountability Continuum (QSAC).
“I am thrilled to share that Robbinsville Public Schools is designated as a `high-performing’ school district, and we have received passing scores in all five areas,” said Schools Superintendent Brian J. Betze.
In order for a school district to pass a section, it must meet the 80% threshold in all five areas of analysis. The Robbinsville schools exceeded this threshold in all five categories, with two of them being perfect.
However, with a score of 85% in “Instruction and Program, the Robbinsville schools need to improve test scores in both math and English Language Arts (ELA), the findings noted.
“The state’s findings support the revisions we are making to the schedules at the middle and elementary schools, as well as updating our ELA program for grades K-8 and the math curriculum for grades K-8,” the superintendent said.
State education officials conduct the QSAC assessment every three years for all New Jersey school districts. The state reviews 55 curriculum documents and 189 indicators.
“The state wants to ensure full compliance within all of our operations,” Betze explained. “The state examines finances, operations, governance, procedures, curriculum, instruction and facilities. It is a very deep dive, to the point in which state inspectors ensure fire extinguishers are up to code. They even check to see if closet doors close properly and flush all the toilets.”
The Robbinsville Public Schools made significant progress in the past three years and now meets the criteria for being considered a “high-performing” district, as shown in the chart below.
| 2020 | 2023 | |
| Instruction and Program | 90% | 85% |
| Fiscal Management | 94% | 100% |
| Governance | 75% | 100% |
| Operations | 100% | 95% |
| Personnel | 95% | 97% |
“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to my administrative team for going above and beyond the QSAC standards,” Betze said. “Additionally, I would like to express my gratitude to our diligent staff members, whose commitment to our students is reflected in Robbinsville’s new designation as high-performing. It is through the collective efforts of everyone involved that we have achieved outstanding accomplishments.”
The state also looks at long-term planning as part of a comprehensive assessment. The school district, under Betze’s direction, is completing a strategic planning process that began in the winter, comprising more than 110 community volunteers.
The group met monthly to set a long-term direction for improving student achievement. Community recommendations are incorporated in a draft Robbinsville Public Schools 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, which the school board is expected to adopt this month.
