Conference Call Dial in Number:  605.475.6333

Participant Access Code:  223359

NJ News 03-22-2011 -  SPECIAL MASTER FINDS THAT STATE AID CUTS UNDERMINE "T&E" - Newark - The Education Law Center (ELC) issued the following statement regarding the ruling  today by Judge Peter E. Doyne, the Special Master appointed by the NJ Supreme Court to conduct a remand hearing on the State's underfunding of the school aid formula in 2010-11. (Read More)
 
NJ News 03-21-2011 - In the News:

Braun: Christie's charter school agenda fuels anger over N.J. school budgets

Star Ledger, 3.21.11

http://blog.nj.com/njv_bob_braun/2011/03/christies_charter_school_agend.html

The issue isn’t solely local. A growing number of national foundations donate to charter schools. They have attracted support mostly from both conservative politicians and free-market economists. Says DePierro: "This strife needs to be viewed in a larger context. The conservative political agenda fosters a climate of competition and conflict rather than collaboration and compromise."

N.J. charter schools escape pay limit

The Record 3.20.11

http://www.northjersey.com/news/education/118317294_Charterschoolsescapepay_limit.html

The director of a Teaneck charter school with about 300 students was paid more than $200,000 last year. In Englewood, the head of an even smaller charter school, with 200 students, earned $152,000 in public money for working part time. Governor Christie has moved to cap the salaries of superintendents at much larger traditional public school districts, but has proposed no such ceiling on tax-supported charters.

You need to build trust to build consensus on Newark schools

Ross Danis, Executive Director, Newark Education Trust

Daily Record, 3.18.20

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20110319/NJOPINION03/110318018/GUEST-COMMENTARY-You-need-to-build-trust-to-build-consensus-on-Newark-schools

Parents don’t want yet another “experiment” foisted upon their children. They are angry. They keep hearing their schools are complete failures, their children are ill-equipped for the world, and that an elected school board is incapable of running such a mammoth school system….When trust is high, communities and organizations offer support with barely a hint of process. But when the trust level is low, as it is in Newark right now, there cannot possibly be enough public meetings and forums to make a difference

School plan worked on paper, but not with people

Joan Whitlow

Star Ledger, 3.18.11

http://blog.nj.com/njv_joan_whitlow/2011/03/school_plan_worked_on_paper_bu.html

“It is understandable that so many citizens are speculating about plots and subplots driving the school plan. Perhaps it’s just that those in charge don’t know what they’re doing, but are hellbent on doing it very fast.”

Doing what's best for Newark students

Acting Commissioner Chris Cerf, Star Ledger, 3.21.11

http://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2011/03/doing_whats_best_for_newark_st.html

“Fifteen years ago, the state took over Newark Public Schools with the goal of transforming the district and ushering in a new era of educational excellence. A generation later, we have yet to achieve that goal….

[Note: This is a good reason for returning the district to local control by an elected school board. Instead Cerf described the following arrangement: ]

“First, Rochelle Hendricks, who recently served as acting commissioner of the state Department of Education, has assumed responsibility for the district pending the appointment of a new superintendent. Interim Superintendent Deborah Terrell, with other Newark Public Schools senior leadership, is working closely with Hendricks to develop solutions to the district’s most immediate challenges: specifically the budget gap and the shortage of high-quality school options.

We are engaging a cross-section of community members and community leaders to help find the next superintendent. While Mayor Cory Booker is not in the statutory “chain of command” led by the governor, he actively supports the governor’s and the district’s efforts to transform Newark’s schools.”

Newark Community Events Calendar

http://sites.google.com/site/coalition4enps/community-calendar

March 22 Advisory Board Mtg.

March 23 Budget Hearings

March 25 Advisory Board Candidates Night

March 26 Building a Citywide Parent Organization

Global Education Advisors flap 'garbage,' says Christie

PolitickerNJ  3/17/11

http://www.politickernj.com/45975/new-newark-super-be-job-may-says-christie

"This whole garbage about Global Education Advisors," harrumphed the governor. "I understand everyone's pitching for a Pulitzer. There's nothing there. Everyone should take a deep breath on Global Education Advisors.It's a big deal to you," he told reporters. "It's not a big deal to anyone else."

Rice to introduce bill for greater transparency of private donations to public schools

Star Ledger 3/17/11

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/nj_lawmaker_to_introduce_bill.html

"Sometimes, these donations come with strings attached, or come from sources with less-than-stellar reputations," said Sen. Ronald L. Rice (D-Essex). "New Jersey residents need to know where the money’s coming from, and what it’s intended for, before their school districts agree to the terms of the donation.”

Gov. Christie announces plan to select next Newark superintendent by May

Star Ledger 3/17/11

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/gov_christie_announces_plan_to.html

Christie also defended Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s role in the state’s effort to transform Newark’s failing schools. Describing Booker as “my partner,” Christie said Booker will play an “integral advisory role” in the state’s effort to raise student achievement in Newark. Though Booker has no real authority over the state-controlled district, his use of the mayoral bully pulpit to highlight the need for reform in Newark’s schools has garnered criticism from some in Newark’s community.

[Governor’s press release: http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/552011/approved/20110317b.html ]

The Search Is on for Newark's Next Super

NJ Spotlight 3/18/11

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/11/0318/0131/

On the same day Gov. Chris Christie came to a local Newark school to publicly promote his agenda for New Jersey’s largest district, an ad hoc group of noted city and school leaders met more quietly yesterday to begin reviewing the administration’s candidates to lead the embattled system.
 

NJ News 02-01-2011 - SFRA REMAND TRIAL SET TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 14: NJ SUPREME COURT DENIES STATE'S APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION - Newark, NJ -- February 1, 2011 
The January 13 order of the NJ Supreme Court appointed a Special Master to conduct a fact-finding hearing on the impact of cuts in school aid under the School Funding Reform Act (SFRA) on educational programs in districts across the state. In its order, the Court instructed Judge Peter E. Doyne, the Special Master, to issue a report on his fact-finding to the Supreme Court by March 31. (Read More)

NJ News 1-04-2011 - Yesterday, NJDOE released 2010 HSPA results. (Read More.) They will be reported to the State Bd. on 1/5. More complete ELC analysis of the data to come, but a few notable observations:

• All District Factor Groups and all student subgroups showed improved scores.

• Gaps for student subgroups remain significant, but the gaps narrowed for Black/White, Hispanic/White and Low Income/Non-Low Income groups

• Limited English Proficient students had by far the lowest passing rate, 27.3%.

The low LEP rate continues to be a major concern, especially in combination with the problems surrounding implementation of the Alternative High Schools Assessment. More than two-thirds of LEP students rely on  the alternative exam to earn their diplomas. Last year large numbers of LEP students were denied diplomas on the basis of their AHSA scores, although the Department has still not released a summary or subgroup data for 2010 AHSA results.

When: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 7:00pm 
Where: Katz Jewish Community Center, Room 206
1301 Springdale Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003-2763

The following organizations have been granted amicus status:

• Disability Rights New Jersey
• New Jersey Black Issues Convention
• New Jersey Education Association
• New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP
• Paterson Education Fund

The following school districts have been granted amicus status:

• Montgomery Township Board of Education
• Bridgeton Public Schools
• Burlington City Public Schools
• East Orange Public Schools
• Perth Amboy Public Schools
• Phillipsburg Public Schools
• Trenton Public Schools

The briefs submitted by these amicus filers -- specifically detailing the harm to school districts, children with disabilities, and poor and minority students -- are available on the ELC website. "The Court's interest in hearing from stakeholders representing diverse groups of students is encouraging," said David Sciarra, ELC Executive Director. "The information in the amicus briefs will shed light on what significant SFRA underfunding looks like in practice in schools across the state." The Supreme Court set deadlines in mid- or late September for the Attorney General to file responses to any or all of the amicus briefs. The Court has not yet set a date for oral argument.