Governor Phil Murphy Salutes New Jersey for Top National Performance in Physics and Chemistry SATs

Question: What inspired this exciting tweet from our governor?

“Proud that New Jersey leads the country in participation and performance in SAT Physics and Chemistry Subject Tests – a testament to our extraordinary educators, administrators, students and parents. We will continue to expand access to quality STEM education for every student.”

Answer: A recent Hanover Research study commissioned by NJCTL

At the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning, we set out in 2009 to dramatically increase the number of physics and chemistry teachers in New Jersey so that many more students would have access to these important STEM subjects.

Since then, 270 teachers have completed NJCTL in-service training to become a physics teacher or chemistry teacher, significantly increasing the number of teachers of these subjects in New Jersey.

Our thinking was that, by increasing the number of qualified teachers in these subject areas, we would help increase the outcomes for New Jersey students.

Now, a new Hanover Research study suggests that this is just the case!  Fortunately, the whole country is moving forward in building SAT participation in physics and chemistry.  New Jersey, which started out in a strong national leadership position in physics and chemistry SAT II scores, has moved even farther ahead while also powerfully increasing the number of students who are prepared to take these tests.  

National Ranking of New Jersey’s SAT II Chemistry Performance, 2007-2016*

National Ranking of New Jersey’s SAT II Physics Performance, 2007-2016*

To learn more about these exciting results, please see the full Hanover Research Study.

To learn more about earning your teaching certification in physics, chemistry or mathematics, please see: https://njctl.org/online-learning/teachers/