Announcements

SCROLL DOWN HOMEPAGE FOR CHRONOLOGICAL LISTING OF NEWS, ISSUES, STATEHOUSE MEETINGS, more

Fri, 2 Mar 2012 17:5:55 EST

GSCS 21st ANNUAL MEETING MAY 30 - REGISTRATION FORM

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:34:3 EDT

As of May 8, registrations are quickly filling up the Forsgate's Highland banquet room - make sure to secure your place at the GSCS Annual Meeting table and register as soon as possible.

GSCS 21st ANNUAL MEETING FLYER and DIRECTIONS

Thu, 3 May 2012 8:14:56 EDT

Directions to Forsgate Country Club

From the NJ Turnpike: Take the New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 8A - Exit the left ramp for Jamesburg (Route 32 East). Continue on Rt. 32 East for 1-� miles through 2nd traffic light. Forsgate Country Club is on your left. Use the Clubhouse Entrance (second left).

State Board of Education to hold public testimony June 6th - Charters and Choice Regulations

Thu, 17 May 2012 7:46:25 EDT

The following items are scheduled for future consideration by the New Jersey State Board of Education. The public may address the State Board on these topics on June 06, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. Topics for Public Testimony Session: � Charter Schools, second discussion level � Interdistrict Public School Choice, second discussion level

Click here on More for details on how to sign up - deadline May 25, 2012

5-17-12 Education and Related Issues in the News

Thu, 17 May 2012 7:54:58 EDT

NJ Spotlight - Camden Opens New Chapter in Christie Education Reform Agenda�City to be first test of Urban Hope Act, as district grapples with its own low performance

Politickernj - Poll: N.J. voters back same-sex marriage, private school scholarships, tax cut plans

5-16-12 Education in the News

Wed, 16 May 2012 7:50:19 EDT

Department of Education Recognizes Ten Districts for Outstanding Second Language Programs

NJ Spotlight - Hearings on Teacher Tenure Reform Delayed -- For Now�Assembly and Senate committees wary to move as Christie warns he will veto �water-downed� bill

Education Week - New Advocacy Groups Shaking Up Education Field�Their sway over policy and politics appears to be growing, especially at the state and local levels�� Bearing names meant to signal their intentions�Stand for Children, Democrats for Education Reform, StudentsFirst�they are pushing for such policies as rigorous teacher evaluations based in part on evidence of student learning, increased access to high-quality charter schools, and higher academic standards for schools and students��

5-15-12 More Education and Related Issues in the News today

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:39:56 EDT

The Record - NJ tax collections are $230M behind budget, state announces

Philadelphia Inquirer -New state review again flunks Camden school district

Politickernj - Deal between Gov. and Sweeney included credit on property taxes and higher income limit

Politickernj - Assembly Democrats holding firm...continue to press for lower chambers' tax proposal

NJ Spotlight - Christie, Sweeney Reach Deal on Tax Cut, but Can NJ Afford It?..Greenwald warns of potential $1 billion shortfall, vows Assembly will fight for its own tax cut plan

5-15-12 Education in the News

Tue, 15 May 2012 7:51:30 EDT

Star Ledger - Officials discuss compromise in Rutgers-Rowan merger: A combined institution with an independent board

NJ Spotlight - Fine Print: Teacher Evaluation Update�'Calibration' and 'inter-rater agreement' help keep DOE's pilot on target

NJ Spotlight - EKGs for Athletic Kids: Protecting the Young at Heart

5-14-12 Teacher Professional Development -- the Quiet Controversy

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:37:57 EDT

NJ Spotlight�Everyone seems to agree that the 100-hour rule is history, but what will take its place? "As the Christie administration presses for changes to teacher tenure and evaluation, upcoming revisions to teacher standards and the kinds of professional development that would be required could spark their own debate..."

5-14-12 Education andRelated Issues in the News

Mon, 14 May 2012 8:17:29 EDT

NJ Spotlight - Putting the Teacher Evaluation Pilot in Perspective�NJ Spotlight hosts a panel discussion that gives educators a chance to evaluate the evaluation pilot

Courier Post - Districts improve school bus efficiency

Asbury Park Press - NJ spends millions to bus private-school students�Taxes cover $77M in private-school transportation

NJ BIZ - NJ gets B-plus on report card for working parents Courier Post - 'Secret' question angers parents�3rd-graders' answers won't be scored

5-11-12 Education and Related Issues in the News

Fri, 11 May 2012 7:51:4 EDT

NJ Spotlight -Some Sour Notes as Arts Education Tries to Strike Balance in Schools�Despite spending, testing priorities, arts are offered in nearly every school, but with fewer students and staffing

Politickernj - Achievement gap remains between rich and poor students on national science exam scores

Star Ledger - Despite law, many N.J. school districts did not disclose value of sick, vacation time ��if a taxpayer wants to know how much he will be paid for his unused sick and vacation time, the answer is just clicks away on the Department of Education website��

5-10-12 Education & Related Issues in the News

Thu, 10 May 2012 8:55:54 EDT

NJSpotlight Q&A: The State of Facebook�s $100 Million To Newark�Greg Taylor, head for Foundation for Newark�s Future, talks fundraising, relationship-building, and visit with Mark Zuckerberg

Courier Post - State: 26 charter schools apply�5 Camden candidates only ones from S.J.

Press of Atlantic City - Paid union leave has cost New Jersey taxpayers $30 million since 2006, report says

5-9-12 Per notices received today, there will NOT be education hearings on Monday May 14 in either the Senate or Assembly Education Committee

Wed, 9 May 2012 17:52:22 EDT

5-9-12 pm More Education-related Issues in the News today

Wed, 9 May 2012 17:48:34 EDT

Star Ledger - Some N.J. union officials have been on paid leave for decades, investigation reveals � The State Commission of Investigation released a report that calls for eliminating or substantially curtailing paid union leave for government workers

Politickernj - State DOE to review several charter school applications �The following charter school applications have been qualified for the approval process, the state Department of Education reported. Approval decisions will be made later, officials said�� (Click on More to read full article to see the applications list, per Politickernj, for 17 charter schools.)

5-9-12 Education Issues in the News

Wed, 9 May 2012 10:44:55 EDT

NJ Spotlight - Fine Print: Cerf Enters Perth Amboy Superintendent Fight�Acting commissioner's ruling puts embattled school administrator back to work

Star Ledger - As budget deadline looms, Gov. Christie pushes to reform teachers' tenure, lower N.J. taxes

Asbury Park Press-Editorial - Why no action on Lakewood, Governor?

The Hub - Red Bank�s STEM program a model for learning�Science, technology curriculum raises test scores on state assessments

5-8-12 Education and Related Issues in the News

Tue, 8 May 2012 7:48:11 EDT

NJSpotlight - Alternative Testing? Not Under Christie�s Change for High School Graduation�Governor's plans for testing will leave out fall-back test, but appeal process will survive

Politickernj - FDU Poll: New Jersey, Chris Christie on the right track

Politickernj �Monmouth Poll: quality of life index up in NJ

Star Ledger - Low test scores outweigh lofty challenges as Trenton charter school faces closure

5-7-12 Education Issues in the News

Mon, 7 May 2012 8:39:52 EDT

NJ Spotlight - With or Without Legislature, Christie Has Options for Pressing School Reforms�State law presents obstacles on some changes, but Christie also going regulatory route

Ocean City Gazette - If approved by state, all Sea Isle students will go to OC schools

Courier Post - New Jersey's grading of charter schools under scrutiny

Politico - Rising GOP stars eye education

The Record-Associated Press - U.S. Senate turns to partisan fight over student loans

5-4-12 Education Issues in the News

Fri, 4 May 2012 8:11:53 EDT

The Record - Christie applauds court ruling limiting sick-day payouts for school chiefs � ��It remained unclear on Thursday whether the ruling could set a precedent regarding that and other salary and benefits caps going forward.�It�s a possibility and it will be a concern to many folks who are dealing with (administrative) turnover,� said Lynn Strickland, head of the Garden Coalition of Schools... �The issue of law or regulations superceding contracts is a big issue with pluses and minuses.�

Bloomberg - Christie Says Vouchers Are Needed to Repair Poor Schools

5-3-12 Education Issues in the News

Thu, 3 May 2012 8:11:40 EDT

NJ Spotlight - NJ Board of Education Scrutinizes Christie�s Blueprint for Schools�State board hears on key pieces of education reform, including charter schools and testing

Philadelphia Inquirer - Cherry Hill father's online video complaint sparks legislative move� New Jersey State Sen. Diane Allen (R., Burlington) said Wednesday that she planned to introduce legislation soon that would make it easier to fire educators who bully their students

Associated Press-nj.com - N.J. Supreme Court to rule on salary cap for school superintendents

5-2-12 More Education in the News

Wed, 2 May 2012 7:36:28 EDT

Press of Atlantic City - High school graduation rates have dropped statewide under new formula� At some area high schools � including Egg Harbor Township, Mainland Regional, Ocean City and Lacey Township � the rate dropped by just a couple of points and is still over 90 percent.At others, including Pleasantville, Hammonton, Wildwood and Vineland, the rate dropped by more than 10 points, with Pleasantville�s self-reported rate in 2010 of almost 94 percent dropping to 64 percent in 2011.

NJ Spotlight - Spotlight Q&A: High School Students Talk Testing�Now that Christie has announced new testing plans, some of the state's top students grade their exams

5-2-12 NJ high school graduation rates decrease under new federally mandated calculation method

Tue, 1 May 2012 20:19:57 EDT

Star Ledger - N.J. high school graduation rates decrease under new federally mandated calculation method High school graduation rates in New Jersey decreased an average of 9 percent in 2011 compared to the previous year...With the new calculating system in place, the statewide graduation rate dropped from 94.7 percent in 2010 to 83 percent in 2011, according to the Department of Education..."Districts will need to provide parents adequate back-up and explanation for these shifts if they have not done so already," Strickland said.

5-1-12 Department of Education Release explains policy rationals for new rate methodology, federal requirements for revision of gradnuation rates

Tue, 1 May 2012 14:1:11 EDT

Click on More here to read full explanation, as well as to find links to statewide rates and methodology 'pathway'.

5-1-12 REVISED GRADUATION RATES per County-District, AS RELEASED 120501

Tue, 1 May 2012 13:56:35 EDT

Per Dept of Education realease 5-1-12: Trenton, NJ � Reinforcing the need for new graduation requirements not only to increase the number of high school graduates but to ensure that students who do graduate from high school are college and career ready, the Christie Administration today released district and school graduation rates along with graduate pathway information.

New Initiative per Fed -DOE 120430 Graduation Rate NJSMART

Tue, 1 May 2012 13:53:28 EDT

Ridgewood Resolution Seeks Amendments to S1455 Ruiz - TEACHNJ ACT

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:51:32 EDT

Excerpt: " Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Ridgewood Board of Education urges the legislature to amend the TeachNJ Act to ensure that personnel hiring and placement decisions remain under the authority of the superintendent with approval of the Board of Education; and..."

A growing number of GSCS members are adopting this resolution. Click here on More to see the resolution in its entirety.

5-1-12 Education in the News - School Testing, Graduation Rates, State Board of Education agenda

Tue, 1 May 2012 13:22:57 EDT

Asbury Park Press - Tougher tests for high school diplomas coming...Changes to take effect in four years

Star Ledger - Gov. Christie introduces new N.J. high school testing program

New Jersey Herald - Local Officials Favor change in School Test

NJ Spotlight - Christie, Rewriting Rules for Graduation, Will Fill in Blanks Later�To earn high school diploma, end-of-course exams are coming, but may take awhile "�new battery of so-called end-of-course exams in 9th, 10th and 11th grade in language arts and math [are planned]. Students will need to pass at least the bulk of them to graduate -- starting with the class of 2021.� [and] The state�s previous graduation rate was 95 percent, the highest in the country, but that was largely self-reported by districts. Required by the federal government, the new count tracks students who entered in 9th grade and how many graduate four years later. New Jersey still ranks in the top 10, Cerf said, but the difference is as much as 10,000 students statewide that may have dropped out��

NJ Spotlight - Agenda: State Board of Education�State board takes center stage with graduation, charter school regulations

4-30-12 Commissioner Cerf - Additional Information on how College and Career Readiness and New Graduation Rating System will work and why

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:57:13 EDT

4-30-12 DOE:New Graduation Rates system to be implemented...More on College and Career Readiness

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:51:10 EDT

Politickernj - N.J. replacing proficiency, assessment tests with end-of-year exams for high-schoolers "Gov. Chris Christie and Acting Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf announced education reform plans today that call for eliminating the 11th grade High School Proficiency Assessment and OSHA tests and replacing them with annual, end-of�year, course exams in each high school grade.....The other reform announced is a proposal to change how high school graduation rates are calculated. This mostly involves determining how many 9th graders who haven�t moved or left the district graduate within four years.

4-30-12 Dept of Education Releases College and Career Readiness Task Force Report

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:25:4 EDT

Per DOE Release - "Trenton, NJ � Taking another step to implement a comprehensive education agenda to put the opportunity of a quality education in the reach of every child in New Jersey, Governor Christie today endorsed a series of recommendations to increase the number of graduates and ensure that all students graduate from high school truly ready for college and career. These recommendations, contained in a report released today from the College and Career Readiness Task Force, will transition New Jersey away from the current high school assessments � High School Proficiency Exam (HSPA) and Alternative High School Assessment (AHSA) � to a new series of end-of-course assessments that measure student readiness at each grade level. These new measures will provide a powerful tool for schools to identify students in need and target individual supports to put them on track for high school graduation. Paired with the phasing in of a new, federally mandated methodology for calculating the graduation rate, Governor Christie�s reforms will ensure that graduating from high school in New Jersey means having the skills and knowledge to be ready to enter college or the workforce, and that educators have the tools to help students get there..." http://www.state.nj.us/education/genfo/readiness.pdf

4-30-12 Education Issues in the News

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:39:38 EDT

NJ Spotlight - With School Choice Growing, NJ Expands Options�New rules would add flexibility and increase number of students eligible

Associated Press - Gov. Christie, Cory Booker to deliver addresses at school choice conference in Jersey City

Star Ledger Opinion � Moran- In Perth Amboy, politics derailing school reform

Courier Post - L.A. group a factor in N.J. schools

The Record - Sex cases prompt new rules, heightened scrutiny at NJ schools

4-27-12 Education Issues in the News

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 8:34:17 EDT

NJ Spotlight - Opting Out of NJ ASK�It's still a tiny minority but a small group of parents -- themselves educators -- are keeping their kids home during the state's assessment tests

Star Ledger column-Moran: Perth Amboy putting schools superintendent on leave wastes money, hurts kids

4-26-12 Education Issues in the News

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:29:15 EDT

Star Ledger Column-Braun: N.J. school privatization debate rages on, leaving parents in the dark� Marilyn Valentine of Franklin Township was one of the few African-Americans in the audience the other night�If charter and other privatized schools aren�t the solution�and she didn�t say they were�then what are parents to do? "You�re telling the people there is nothing for you.��

NJ Spotlight - NJ Department of Education Blamed for Slowing Repair of Decaying Schools�Advocacy group files suit for project delays in poorest districts, claiming students at risk

4-25-12 Common Core Standards - What are they all about - read Education Week article here

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:40:45 EDT

Education Week - Advocates Worry Implementation Could Derail Common Core..."In less than three years, the Common Core State Standards have vaulted over three key hurdles, surprising more than a few naysayers. In June 2009, governors and education chiefs in 46 states pledged their support for the idea. A year later, panels of experts unveiled the completed standards. By last November, all but four states had formally adopted them..."

4-25-12 Education and Related Issues in the News

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 8:46:50 EDT

NJ Spotlight - The New Math: Counting NJ�s School Children�Education advocates say the way Christie plans to add the numbers will hurt poor urban districts

Politickernj - Christie names members to Anti-Bullying Task Force

Asbury Park Press - Gov. Bobby Jindal to attend school summit in New Jersey

Politickernj - Realtors survey shows strong support for Christie's, Assembly Democrats' tax cut plans� �The real takeaway is that 60 percent are looking for some kind of tax relief�

Star Ledger - Newest Kids Count report finds evidence of 'persistent and pervasive' poverty in N.J.

4-24-12 Education in the News

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:41:41 EDT

Asbury Park Press - Forced school consolidation is off the table�Some areas still pursuing plans to trim districts

Press of Atlantic City - Vocational schools becoming more popular, must turn away hundreds who apply for admission

NJ Spotlight - Anderson Closes the Deal for $247,500 -- Plus Bonuses...Some bonus targets tied to increasing proficiency scores district-wide

4-23-12 Department of Education before Assembly Budget Committee Today

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:21:36 EDT

Politickernj-State Street Wire - Cerf defends FY13 education funding

NJ Spotlight - For Assembly Hearing, School Budget Analysis Fuels Debate on Aid�OLS report shows how poor districts could get less under Christie�s plan to change formula

4-20-12 Department of Education releases Evaluation Pilot for Principals - $500,000 in Grant Funding on hand

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 7:57:49 EDT

Department of Education releases Principal Evaluation Pilot Plan- $500,000 in Funding Available for 10-District Pilot to shape new evaluation system in 2012-13 School Year�Christie Administration Continues Focus on Effective Educators with New Principal Evaluation Pilot Program

NJ Spotlight -NJ Launches Evaluation Pilot for School Principals�With teachers already testing new system, districts invited to process for grading principals

4-19-12 Education & Related Issues in the News - School Budgets pass overwhelmingly...Newark Supt. Anderson named amony Times Magazine Top 100 most Influential

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:10:13 EDT

NJ Spotlight - School Vote A Record-Breaker For Passing Budgets and Low Turnout�With most districts waiting till fall, voter indifference marks holdouts� approval of spending plans..."Marlboro Superintendent David Abbott said it will likely cost his district close to $50,000 to have held the election...But fewer than 2,000 people voted out of a registration roll exceeding 20,000, making some wondering if it worth the effort � not to mention the costs..."

The Record - 90% of districts with April votes won approval of school budgets� Tax levies for the 2012-13 school year passed in 63 of 70 districts, and in all 27 districts in Bergen and Passaic counties that voted�Ridgewood stuck with the April election this year, and its budget passed, but Superintendent Daniel Fishbein said the board was likely to revisit the issue when it has more time to consider... And, he said, the change wouldn't mean cutting the public out of the process.

Star Ledger - N.J. voters pass most school budgets� Only seven budgets were defeated � from a total of 70 who held budget votes, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association. Last year, 79.7 percent of 538 proposed budgets were approved.

Star Ledger - Newark schools boss Cami Anderson named to Time's 100 Most Influential People List

4-17-12 Over 70 communities are holding regular school elections today-Remember to go to the polls if your school vote is tomorrow

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:19:29 EDT

Star Ledger - In Bergen County, nearly 1 in 3 school districts keep April school board elections

Wall Street Journal - Mayoral Fight Seen in N.J. School Race

Star Ledger - School budget voting approaches for N.J. districts that opted out of new education law

NJ Spotlight - Spring�s No Break for Tuesday�s School Vote Holdouts�With most districts opting for move to November, a handful of voters head to polls

4-17-12 Education Issues in the News

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:14:48 EDT

NJ Spotlight - NJ Anti-bullying Money: Will There Be Enough to Go Around?...Schools to share $1M to pay for implementing New Jersey�s tough new law

The Record - Acting NJ education chief pitches funding formula in Fort Lee

4-14-12 Education Issues in the News

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 12:37:57 EDT

Press of Atlantic City - Plan would cut state school aid $300 million; not all districts affected the same� ��The OLS analysis also compares the state formula and the formula with the proposed changes as fully funded, which rarely occurs.�...�We have to deal with the reality of the political world and the economy,� said Lynne Strickland, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, which represents largely suburban districts throughout the state...�We are not naive,� she said. �But we have to work in the moment and prepare for the future.�

Times of Trenton - School districts holding April elections down to a dwindling few

4-13-12 Education Issues in the News - Charter School decision supports local district issue, testing, school accountability

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:22:35 EDT

NJ Spotlight - Love �em and Sometimes Fight �em: NJ�s Charter School Dilemma�In highly watched case, Cerf sides with school districts battling boutique charter

Star Ledger - Educators search for best ways to prepare N.J. kids for state tests� Marlboro teachers are asked to design classroom tests in formats similar to NJ ASK so kids can become familiar with it, Superintendent David Abbott said."That way they can concentrate on the knowledge rather than the format," he said. "These are very high stakes tests. You need to really be performing."

Press of Atlantic City - Vocational high schools in Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean counties among state's best; others named the worst

4-11,12-12 p.m - Administration Press Release on Priority, Focus and Rewards Schools -Final list of designated schools...related news articles

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:27:56 EDT

(GSCS Note: 14.8% of NJ's 2500 schools fall into these 3 categories. The Priority [3% of the total of NJ's 2500 schools] and Focus schools [7.3%] will be targeted for collaborative oversight and/or intervention by the Department of Education via the DOE's 7 new Regional Assistance Centers. The Rewards schools [4.48%] are demonstrating success in student growth progress rates or performing at a high level overall. The remaining 85.2% of NJ' schools, per the Administration's press release "...will not be categorized as Priority, Focus, or Reward Schools. In these schools, districts will have autonomy over the necessary investments and supports to sustain strong performance or strengthen areas for improvement..." For complete information, including the designated schools, on this new accountability system that is replacing NCLB - via the the federal government waiver granted to the DOE - see More below. )

Politickernj - Post-NCLB: Education Dept. devises new accountability measures for schools

Governor�s Press Release 4-11-12:Christie Administration Moves Forward to Turn Around Lowest-Performing Schools in the State, Provide Targeted Support for Improvement, and to Reward Successful Schools..."Beyond these three categories, the vast majority of the 2,500 schools in New Jersey will not be categorized as Priority, Focus, or Reward Schools. In these schools, districts will have autonomy over the necessary investments and supports to sustain strong performance or strengthen areas for improvement..."

NJ Spotlight - NJ Puts New Labels on Schools for Test Scores, Graduation Rates�With No Child off the books, 370 schools are highlighted under new accountability rules

Star Ledger - In wake of No Child Left Behind Act, worst N.J. schools receive stern message�[Commissioner Cerf stated that] "Unlike under NCLB, where all schools received the same consequences regardless of their performance challenges, we now have the ability to target our interventions to areas of need," he said. "When schools have targeted problems we need to develop targeted solutions rather than develop one-size-fits-all improvement plans�"

4-11-12 p.m. Final List of Priority, Focus and Rewards Schools

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:43:24 EDT

4-11-12 Regional Assistance Centers (RACs) Dept of Education memo - Accountability

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:43:24 EDT

GSCS: Trenton Update - Budget Season at the Statehouse

Wed, 4 Apr 2012 10:35:7 EDT

FYI, The State Legislature is currently focused on holding hearings for individual State Departments re: the Governor's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 (FY '13). The Senate Budget Committee heard the Department of Education on March 29 and the Assembly Budget Committee is scheduled to hear the DOE on April 23. While the legislature holds these hearings, known as the "Budget Break", regular committee hearings and voting sessions are suspended. At this time, the Senate has calendared its return to regular hearings starting on May 14th; the Assembly calendar in regard to regular session and committee meetings has not yet been published.

During the scrutiny of the FY'13 proposed budget, people will be 'talking' about issues in the budget that impact those they represent, pro or con. This is the time that the legislature takes up budget issues and looks to amend or modify positions introduced by the Governor's proposal.

According to a news quote from Senator Paul Sarlo, Senate Budget Committee chair last week, that while saying he believes there are some issues with state aid, significant changes in school funding are not anticipated. It is not uncommon that the Assembly may have a different tact.

By law the legislature must come together and pass an Appropriations Act on FY'13 by June 30.....Stay informed, feedback you thoughts to GSCS, and stay tuned with us...

4-11-12 Teacher Evaluations and Teaching via Technology - In the News

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:23:44 EDT

NJ Spotlight - Fine Print: New Teacher Evaluation Guidance�Teachers outside tested subjects get leeway on how much student performance counts

NJ Spotlight - Plugged In: New Jersey�s High Tech Classrooms�Schools are using reading software while waiting proof computers improve basic learning

4-10-12 Star Leger Focus: Education Reform

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:3:36 EDT

Star Ledger - Gov. Chris Christie talks school reform: A Q&A...Among Issues discussed - Tenure Reform, Merit Pay, Opportunity Scholarship Act, Struggling Schools, Charter Schools expansion and focus, and local vote or not...

Star Ledger Editorial - N.J. Democrats must step up on education reform

4-10-12 Education Issues in the News

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:1:18 EDT

Paramus Patch - NJ Has Too Many Municipalities, Senator Tells Seniors� �Sen. Bob Gordon outlined on Monday the coming budget debate between legislators and Gov. Chris Christie in a talk to seniors at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, but said the state's problems would only be solved by combining some of the state's 500-plus municipalities and school districts�Bergen County has 75 school districts. Gordon said the county could manage with 25.�

The Republic (Columbus Indiana)-Associated Press - - NJ districts opting out of up-or-down budget votes by moving school elections to November

NJ Spotlight - From the Rocky Mountains, Lessons on Teacher Tenure�Colorado�s entry into evaluations a model for New Jersey

4-5-12 Education Issues in the News

Thu, 5 Apr 2012 11:21:42 EDT

Philadelphia Inquirer - Tuition going up at county schools; county contribution to remain the same...MOUNT HOLLY � 'The Burlington County Institute of Technology's $36.5 million budget for 2012-13 is only 1 percent higher than last year, but it calls for a reduction in programs, teachers and other staff, and a 4.4 percent tuition hike for its sending districts.The increase, which raises tuition from $2,866 to $3,000 per student, comes on the heels of a nearly 15 percent hike last year, which officials acknowledged was a "struggle" for the sending districts...'

4-4-12 Acting Gov. Guadagno Makes Appointments To NJ Education Funding Task Force

Wed, 4 Apr 2012 18:8:11 EDT

4-4-12 Education Issues in the News: Charter Schools next round; Testing; State Board meeting

Wed, 4 Apr 2012 10:16:11 EDT

Star Ledger - N.J. education department to consider 32 charter school applications

NJ Spotlight - When NJ Kids Take Out No. 2 Pencils, They�ll be Testing the Test�In Model Curriculum 1.0, educators will assess the new standards

NJ Spotlight - Agenda: State Board of Education�Teacher test changes highlight otherwise routine agenda

4-2-12 Education Issues in the News

Mon, 2 Apr 2012 11:33:59 EDT

Politickernj.com - N.J. wants OK to stop compiling Adequate Yearly Progress data

NJ Spotlight - Fine Print: OLS Questions, DOE Answers on FY 2012 Budget�First up for review, Education Department defends vacant positions, consultants

3-30-13 Education in the News - Dept of Education-State Budget, Autism Rates in NJ

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 7:37:49 EDT

NJ Spotlight - Budget Review: School Aid, Pricey Consultants Are Scrutinized�Despite prodding, Sarlo doesn�t expect changes in education budget

Star Ledger - N.J. still ranks high in autism rate, report says

3-29-12 NJ Spotlight - Grading Teachers...

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 7:49:41 EDT

..."More Schools Invited to Join Evaluation Pilot�Role of student performance tweaked as administration refines, expands new teacher evaluation system" To read Department of Education memo update from Chief talent Officer Peter Shulman on this subject, see heading immediately below

Department of Education - Teacher Evaluation Update memo of 3-28-12

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 7:51:41 EDT

3-28-12 In the News - State Budget FY2012-2013

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 8:56:14 EDT

Philadelphia Inquirer - NJ budget officer challenges Christie on revenues

NJ Spotlight - Newly Defiant Democrats Slam Governor�s Budget�Nonpartisan OLS analysis projects $537 million less revenue than Christie�s treasurer��With Christie seemingly auditioning for a spot on the Republican ticket for vice president, and with his reelection bid just 19 months off, yesterday�s Senate Budget Committee hearing focused more on the political implications of the governor's fiscal policies than it did on the treasurer�s revenue forecasts...�

3-27-12 Dept of Education Budget, Anti-Bullying law revised, Supreme Court Nominations in the News

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:38:43 EDT

NJ Spotlight - What Do Budget Reviews Mean for Education Department?...Christie�s plan boosts spending at agency to implement school reforms ��The addition of more staff is a good first step for those who have worried that the department is getting stretched thin. At the same time it is only adding to the responsibilities for itself and for districts.�The department needs to have a greater breadth in order for it to be truly supportive for districts,� said Lynne Strickland, director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools...�If they are beefing up, that�s only better for all...�

Asbury Park Press - Christie signs fix to New Jersey anti-bullying law

The Record-Column-Stile: Governor might bend in scuffle with Dems

Press of Atlantic City - "These are exciting times for charter schools," acting N.J. education chief tells conference

3-26-12 Education Issues in the News

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 9:27:35 EDT

NJ Spotlight - Fine Print: Assembly�s Opportunity Scholarship Act Bill�School vouchers back on table with scaled down measure by Democratic leadership

Asbury Park Press-Associated Press - Promise, obstacles in plan to merge 2 NJ colleges

Daily Record - Parsippany criticizes state in lawsuit against school superintendent

3-23-12 Supreme Court Nominee turned down in Senate Judiciary hearing in Trenton yesterday

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 9:41:52 EDT

Asbury Park Press - Senate panel rejects Christie's Supreme Court nominee

NJ Spotlight - Democrats Reject Kwon Nomination . . . and Gov. Christie�Abbott v. Burke and Mount Laurel decisions figure large in six-hour confirmation hearing

3-22-12 NJ Spotlight on Charter School Local Vote, Preschool Funding

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 8:28:28 EDT

Fine Print: Voter Approval on Charter Schools The Assembly passes a bill requiring local approval for charters, but the measure goes nowhere in the Senate

Preschools - "The roots of the concern date back a few years, to the administration of former Gov. Jon Corzine, when the state's Department of Human Services (DHS) rewrote the rules for what levels of income would qualify families for programs before and after school and for summer programs that are an inherent part of the centers..."

3-21-12 Education and Related Issues in the News

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:8:32 EDT

Politicker NJ - Administration working overtime on Supreme Court nominees

Philadelphia Inquirer - N.J. charter-school dispute may end in church's eviction

NJ Spotlight - Intervening in Troubled School Districts Just Got Simpler�State streamlines QSAC monitoring, while spotting problems in Camden, maintaining control over Newark

Star Ledger - Gov. Christie announces $1M scholarship initiative for students in urban school districts

Gazette.net � Maryland community News Online - When public schools aren�t enough Hundreds of Montgomery students need specialized, nonpublic education

Star Ledger editorial - Could teacher's fear help Gov. Chris Christie change his attitude?

3-20-12 Education Issues in the News

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 10:8:41 EDT

Politickernj.com - Education advocates seek greater increase in funding; say schools still underfunded ��Lynne Strickland, the executive director of Garden State Coalition of Schools, said she was in favor of the additional school aid, but still had concerns about underfunding. Strickland also said she had concerns about charter schools, which �create a hole in school budgets.�

NJ Spotlight - Newark Super Drums Up Support for Sweeping Reforms�Critics missing as Anderson reveals final details to close, reorganize schools

Northjersey.com - Christie: 'Enough is enough' in NJEA war of words

Star Ledger - N.J. education groups call for more state money for public and private schools

3-19-12 In the News - New Funding for Anti-Bullying Law, But Is $1 Million Enough

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 6:41:8 EDT

NJ Spotlight - Cash infusion addresses unfunded mandate issue, but still question if it will cover all district costs

3-16-12 Education Issues in the News - 1M for Anti-Bullying...New Voucher bill...Charter Schools...State Aid

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:25:43 EDT

Star Ledger - Bill that would give $1M to schools for anti-bullying program passes in Assembly, Senate

NJ Spotlight - Long Debated, Legislature Revives Talk of School Vouchers�New measure is scaled back to just a few districts, yet misses key backer

The Record - Assembly advances bill to give NJ communities veto power over charter school applications

Patch.com - NJ Top Education Official and Superintendent Talk Budget, State Aid�East Windsor Regional School District's state aid is up about $1.2 million this year.

NJ Spotlight - Interactive Map: State Aid to NJ Public Schools�Most communities are still working with less than they were budgeted for in 2009-2010

3-15-12 Assembly passes bill for local vote to approve charter schools

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:32:38 EDT

Politickernj.com - Charter school referendum bill passes Assembly (GSCS note: At this time, there is no local vote companion bill in the Senate)

DOE: Districts may select their own evaluation instrument

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:34:18 EDT

DOE on proposed teacher evaluations process: Districts may identify or procure their evaluation instrument. There is no requirement that districts must select one of the major 4-5 providers.

Peter Shulman, Department of Education Chief Talent officer, and the GSCS Board of Trustees engaged in an in depth and detailed conversation on teacher evaluations at the GSCS March 7 board meeting. One result of that dialogue was that districts needed clarification guidance on the teacher evaluation instrument selection..."

Click here on More to read clarification in full

GSCS Testimony: Governor's Proposed State Budget FY 2012-2013

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:37:44 EDT

3-13-12 Education advocates seek increased funding

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:4:54 EDT

State Street Wire-Politickernj.com - Education advocates seek increased funding Lynn Strickland, the executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, which advocates for public support of public education, said that public schools need more stable funding.�It�s not an easy budget but we do feel it�s going in the right direction,� Strickland said.

Willie Rowe of the Ivy Hill Parent Teacher Organization in Newark said more revenue streams need to be put into the budget for school aid.Rowe also asked for a reconsideration of the funding of charter schools...

3-13-12 Senate State Budget Hearing Today

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 7:0:51 EDT

GSCS is testifying at today's hearing.

3-13-12 Christie and Cerf call on legislature to approve 3 bills

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 6:59:21 EDT

New Jersey Newsroom - Christie and Cerf call on legislature to approve 3 key Gov. Chris Christie and state Education Commissioner Chris Cerf Monday called on the Democratic-controlled Legislature to approve the proposals the governor has made in what he sees as an effort to improve public education.

Christie�s proposed 2012-13 state budget provides $7.8 billion in school aid, an increase of $135 million and part of $213 million in overall increased financial support over the 2011-12 budget.

3-12-12 Education Issues in the News

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 8:19:20 EDT

NJ Spotlight - Early Feedback About New Teacher Evaluation System Generally Positive�But educators express concerns about how much time observations will add to already busy schedules

Star Ledger - Superintendent Cami Anderson needs support to make change in Newark schools

Asbury Park Press - High court balance tipping toward Christie

NJ Spotlight - SDA to Announce Nearly 80 Urgent Projects It Is Moving Ahead On�Schools Development Authority faces criticism and possible lawsuit over delays

3-11-12 Education Issues in the News

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 18:0:41 EDT

The Record - Analysis: Christie budget would boost state spending by $2.1 billion

Star Ledger - 6 months into N.J. law to halt bullying, a survey takes a look at how it's working

Star Ledger - Edison school district proposes first school tax cut in history, but rates up

S1455 TEACHNJ ACT Tenure Reform bill - GSCS Testimony

Fri, 9 Mar 2012 10:25:14 EST

Testifying together, favoring tenure reform in general, were Lynne Strickland, Executive Director GSCS, and Betsy Ginsburg GSCS Vice-President and President of Glen Ridge Board of Education. Click on More here for some excerpts from their testimony.

3-9-12 Education Issues in the News - Unfunded Mandates Questions Continue

Fri, 9 Mar 2012 9:54:46 EST

Courier Post - Bill adds time to claim child sexual abuse� The legislation also would require training programs, for school employees and others, on how to recognize and report signs of childhood sex abuse. In addition, more employees and some school volunteers would have to undergo criminal background checks every three years.

Press of Atlantic City - School districts say state's anti-bullying law costs at least $2 million to implement

3-8-12 Education and Related Issues in the News

Thu, 8 Mar 2012 8:33:10 EST

NJ Spotlight - Christie Joins Deal to Save Anti-Bullying Law�But political compromise keeps "thorough and efficient" out of new bill

Press of Atlantic City - Christie, legislators propose 1 million in grants to pay for anti-bullying program in schools

Philadelphia Inquirer - Christie backs bipartisan plan to add funding to state's anti-bullying law

DOE News Release 3-7-12 -State Board of Education Adopts Changes to Streamline QSAC Monitoring and to Put Increased Focus on Student Achievement, Health and Safety, and Fiscal Accountability

Wall Street Journal - Why Sweeney Backed Off N.J. �Millionaire�s Tax�

3-7-12 'U.S. Rep. Donald Payne's death a blow to New Jersey'

Wed, 7 Mar 2012 9:53:49 EST

Star Ledger editorial - "He will be remembered at home as a pioneer, a statesman and a gentleman."

3-7-12 Education and Related Issues in the News

Wed, 7 Mar 2012 10:26:17 EST

Asbury Park Press -Judge tosses out pension lawsuit

NJ Spotlight - Agenda: State Board of Education�Public hearing slated on allowing districts to sell advertising on school buses

3-6-12Tenure Reform News - Discussion at Senate Education Committee

Tue, 6 Mar 2012 9:54:11 EST

The Record - Advocates make case for NJ teacher tenure reform

Asbury Park Press- Union, Christie rap tenure fix

NJ Spotlight - Making a Sizable Exception to the Tenure Reform Bill�A critical clause in the proposed bill could mean tenure reform will not be applied retroactively

Star Ledger - Senate Education Committee discusses tenure reform bill's nuts and bolts

3-6-12 Education Issues in the News - Governor'sTask Force on Education Funding, Gifted and Talented Issues

Tue, 6 Mar 2012 9:50:9 EST

Courier Post - Task force to study misspent school funding

Associated Press - Christie: Change the way at-risk students are counted

Bloomberg News - Christie May Replace Free-Lunch Count as Measure of Poverty

Press of Atlantic City - Lack of funding leaves New Jersey�s gifted and talented students at mercy of their schools

3-5-12 p.m. Tenure Reform hearing... Christie establishes school funding task force

Mon, 5 Mar 2012 16:54:58 EST

The Record - Newark mayor makes case for tenure reform

Politickernj - Christie forms school aid funding task force

3-5-12 Education in the News, plus FYI - Tenure Hearing on S1455 Ruiz today in Trenton

Mon, 5 Mar 2012 7:26:48 EST

Tenure Reform hearing today in Senate Education Committee-Mayors Booker of Newark and Redd of Camden to testify, among many others (including GSCS with 'concerns')

NJ Spotlight - Fine Print: Charters Not Renewed�Cerf points to low test scores, standards in decision to close schools in Trenton, Pleasantville

NJ Spotlight - NJ School Board Elections? These Holdouts Are Sticking With Spring�Roughly 10 percent of school districts across the state have not moved elections into November

3-2-12 Department of Education Announces 2 Closings and 16 Renewals of Charter Schools

Fri, 2 Mar 2012 17:4:1 EST

STATE AID DISTRICT LIST - PROPOSED for FY 2012-2013

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:38:29 EST

State Aid: Aid: Per Commissioner Cerf - Overall, 485 school districts' aid will increase�96 school districts will lose aid in "absolute numbers"; 61 of this 96 group will be reduced in their per pupil amounts�

NOTABLE: Special education costs have been re-evaluated and the base cost of a special education student will increase from $11K to approximately $15K. This realistic increase in the special education base is of particular help to all districts, particularly since it goes to all special education students no matter where they reside.

Education Funding Report on School Funding Reform Act (SFRA) issued 2-23-12

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:14:33 EST

This report has a number of recommended changes to the SFRA formula and is the Aministrations' rationale for amending some state aid methodology. See header below for details.

Major points in Education Funding Report

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 9:22:47 EST

Click on More here

3-2-12 Education Issues in the News

Fri, 2 Mar 2012 10:36:5 EST

Associated Press - Christie predicts passage for school voucher bill

The Record - Clifton district says additional $2M in state aid still not enough

3-1-12 Anti-Bullying, Salary Caps, State Aid in the News

Thu, 1 Mar 2012 11:16:7 EST

NJ Spotlight - New Wording, New Funding to Keep Anti-Bullying On the Books�Saving a law that many see as critical to education in New Jersey

The Record - NJ acting education chief to review impact of superintendent pay caps �The best I can tell you on the superintendent cap is...you have been heard by me,� Cerf said. �I am not in a position to give you the change or the comfort you want� This is something worthy of a look based on data.�

Star Ledger - Cerf: Christie might revisit superintendent salary cap...But the thrust of Cerf�s address was about raising the quality of education...Notably, Cerf said, the significant achievement gap between low-income and minority students and other students is too wide.

The Record - State aid to schools increases for South Bergen school district

2-29-12 Tenure and Evaluation Issues in the News

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 7:17:16 EST

GSCS Note: S1455 Ruiz/TEACHNJ Act re Tenure Reform and Evaluation Process is scheduled on the Senate Education Committee agenda for a hearing this Monday, March 5 at 11 a.m. in the Statehouse Annex. The bill is slated to be heard 'for discussion only'.

NJ Spotlight -Senate Hearing to Refocus Attention on Tenure Reform�With no vote planned, Sen. Ruiz still has time to work out the details of her high-profile bill

Politickernj - DOE picks Rutgers University to critique teacher evaluation pilot program

NJ Spotlight - Will NJ Go Public With Teacher Ratings?...Cerf says 'No,' but release of teacher evaluations in NYC raises questions

2-28-12 NJTV on NJ School Funding...and, Reporters' Roundtable plus On the Record back on the air

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 8:31:10 EST

Go to njtvonline.org to see: NJToday: February 27, 2012...Learning the new lessons about school funding. Plus a former governor taking aim at the man in charge. And will election year politics stand in the way of a budget deal?

Reporters Roundtable and On the Record Return on Feb. 25 Veteran journalist Michael Aron's popular public affairs discussion shows - Reporters Roundtable with Michael Aron and On the Record with Michael Aron - beginning Saturday, February 25th.

2-28-12 Education Issues in the News

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 8:8:19 EST

NJ Spotlight - Will NJ Go Public With Teacher Ratings?

Asbury Park Press - Booker endorses Christie's school reforms

2-27-12 Education Issues in the News

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 8:22:55 EST

Star Ledger - From Cranford to Ohio, school districts weigh disciplining teens for off-campus misbehavior

NJ Spotlight - Cerf Will Pay to See Progress on School Reform Agenda�New Innovation Fund will reward schools for making goals and hitting targets

2-26-12 State budget, School Elections, and Federal Grant funds for local reform initiatives

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 12:52:51 EST

My Central Jersey - Plan to hike spending per student still means aid cuts for 97 districts� ��Suburban school districts that for years complained they were short-changed by the state�s school funding formula found much to cheer about when Gov. Chris Christie released new aid figures last week..."

Star Ledger - Acting N.J. education chief reconsiders using school free-lunch programs to measure poverty

My Central Jersey - Plan to hike spending per student still means aid cuts for 97 districts

Star Ledger - Scores of N.J. school districts moving elections from April to November�� Strickland�s greatest concern was a provision in the law that allowed local governing bodies to move elections even without the consent of school boards�[yet] school boards are responsible and want to do the best for their kids," Strickland said. "I think they are very hopeful that, without having separate April elections, they can get a budget done appropriately but stay focused on the education of their students throughout the school year..."

Star Ledger - � �About half of the state�s school districts have agreed to implement some of the Christie Administration�s education reforms in exchange for a slice of a $38million federal grant��

Administration Release on State Aid Proposal 2-23-12

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:42:50 EST

2-24-12 Headlines from around NJ - from Google (hit on nj education-nj budget)

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:38:43 EST

See below for specific articles posted on proposed state aid...e.g., Gannett-Asbury Park Press - State aid cuts hit low-income areas, help suburbs� �But Lynne Strickland, who represents some 100 suburban school districts through the Garden State Coalition of Schools, praised the new figures.�There�s recognition that this has been a long time coming, and we�re glad for it,� Strickland said. �Suburbs have been left to free fall � we need the help, too.�

Click on More here to see more condensed news clips on this subject from around the state

State Aid District Listing FY 2012-2013

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:7:48 EST

2-23-12 State Aid Figures Released late today: GSCS Statement

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:47:12 EST

Recognizing the need to analyze the data and funding report in depth, GSCS' initial reaction to state aid is: It's been a long time coming...Overall, the aid increases to our members are meaningful and demonstrate a much-needed nod from the state for its support of quality education in the suburbs. GSCS is glad to see a change on the plus side, one that is positive and also trend-promising.

2-24-12 State Aid in the News

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 7:11:58 EST

Gannett-Asbury Park Press - State aid cuts hit low-income areas, help suburbs� �But Lynne Strickland, who represents some 100 suburban school districts through the Garden State Coalition of Schools, praised the new figures.�There�s recognition that this has been a long time coming, and we�re glad for it,� Strickland said. �Suburbs have been left to free fall � we need the help, too.�

The Record - Bergen County schools due state aid under plan � �It really does look like the governor has recognized the suburbs have been left out of the loop for quite a while in state aid, and they need it,� said Lynne Strickland, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools. �It�s been a long time coming but we�re glad it�s showing up now.�

Star Ledger - Christie education funding plan would base allocations partly on districts' enrollment

NJ Spotlight - Winners and Losers for School Aid�Complicated formula hits some NJ cities hard while suburban schools see gains ��Seeing not only the plus column next to our members, but also the echo of an improved aid picture for the suburbs in the future feels good,� read an email from Lynne Strickland, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, a group of more than 100 suburban districts. �It has been a long time��

2-23-12 Education in the News - Education reform noted in state budget message; Facebook grant to Newark teachers

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 9:31:10 EST

Newsworks New Jersey - newsworks.org - Education reform: Calls for expansion charters in chronically failing districts and passage of Opportunity Scholarship Act & tenure reform

Star Ledger � Twenty-five teams of Newark teachers to receive more than 200K Facebook grant "...Winners earned up to $10,000 each and include groups of educators from 13 traditional and charter elementary schools, eight high schools and four special education schools..."

2-22-12 More News from around the state on Governor's State Budget Message

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 8:58:24 EST

Press of Atlantic City - Gov. Chris Christie presents $32.1 billion budget proposal with income-tax cut, promise of no new taxes..........Asbury Park Press - Budget: school formula aid to increase, expect adjustments elsewhere "But changes are expected in other areas of school funding, such as �adjustment aid,� used to make sure that districts receive supplemental money even if enrollment declines, the sources said. New Jersey is spending $570 million in such aid in the current fiscal year. A report on �adequacy aid,� given to the 31 low-income school districts that receive special funding under a series of state Supreme Court decisions, will be out this week."..........Philadelphia Inquirer � Politics - Christie proposes $32.1 billion N.J. budget with slight increases in spending ..........Gloucester County Times editorial - If revenue is real, N.J. budget's not bad..........Bloomberg - Christie�s $32.1 Billion Budget Counts on Rising Tax Revenue

Text of Gov. Christie's State Budget Message, given Feb. 21, 2012

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:58:57 EST

GSCS Notes from 2-21-12 afternoon: The Governor has delivered his State Budget Message for FY2012-13. Thus begins the more than 4 month deliberation process between the Legislature and the Administration that will result in the Appropriations Act for FY2012-2013 that, by law, is supposed to conclude with a balanced budget by June 30. At this time, school aid figures are not known in specific and will not be until the district-by-district listings of state aid are publicly released tomorrow, or Thursday at the latest.

The �Budget in Brief� distributed this afternoon does not provide many details of formula aid categories either, but does hint at an SFRA (School Funding Reform Act) revision via funding formula 'modifications' that result in $120.9M of formula aid in general. The expected Adequacy Report on the SFRA formula is to be released at the end of this week and will shed light on potential funding methodology revisions.

Other notable aid increases are $14.2 in Interdistrict School Choice program aid and Pre-School aid at $14.6M. Overall, there is a reported $212.5 increase in school aid (Politickernj.com - �The budget will hike education aid by nearly $213 million, although the state could not immediately specify which districts will benefit and which will lose funding.") Additionally, per Commisssioner Cerf, special education student needs will grow the special education aid by $46M.

GSCS will update you regularly, starting with school aid figures when released...stay tuned...

2-22-12 School Aid in State Budget Message - Is There a Devil in the Details

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:7:12 EST

The Record - How much Christie's aid plan would help individual schools an unknown... �Lynne Strickland, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, which represents mostly suburbs, was cautious about the coming aid figures. �An increase is always a plus� but until we know how it really is going to be distributed it�s hard to get a feel for whether it will be well received throughout the state,� she said. �We�ll have to see what the devil is, if there is a devil in the details.�

NJ Spotlight - Share and Share Alike? Not Christie's $213 Million Bump in School Aid�With one of every three dollars of the governor's budget earmarked for education, schools wait to see how much they will actually receive...State Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff said a "vast majority of districts will be getting a slight increase." But the administration also for the first time will be using the state's funding formula in the distribution of aid, he said..."

Star Ledger - Gov. Christie's proposal would add more than $300M to N.J. education budget��South-Orange Maplewood School Superintendent Brian Osborne, said any increase is welcome, however. "We�re waiting now on what the governor�s determination means for our districts," he said.�

2-21-12 State Budget Message for Fiscal Year 2012-2013

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:25:52 EST

Star Ledger - Christie proposes $32.1B budget with increased education funding, revenue expectations� �Christie also proposed boosting aid to local school districts across the state by $120 million, bringing the total amount to $7.79 billion, records show. He will also increase financing for preschool by $14.6 million and school choice aid by $14.2 million.�

Politickernj.com - Christie unveils $32.1B budget

2-21-11 Governor Christie to deliver State Budget Message for FY2012-2013 today

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 8:38:0 EST

Star Ledger - Gov. Christie's budget speech will announce plan for proposed income tax cut� Local school districts have felt the biggest brunt of Christie�s previous belt-tightening. He restored some last year, and most expect him to increase state aid. But the governor may also have something bigger in mind. For months, the Christie administration has signaled it wants to overhaul the current funding formula...

Associated Press in the Asbury Park Press, Philadelphia Inquirer, The Record - Gov. Christie faces obstacles in NJ budget proposal

Politickernj.com � Weekly Advance: Week of Feb. 20� One item to keep an ear open for: Christie has said previously that education reform will be a priority this year, so possibly he will address funding issues�. Bramnick: Expect income-tax cut to be key part of budget address

NJ's Smallest School Districts Share Big Worries About Christie's Budget�Schools face uncertain futures as proposals for shared services and consolidations haunt district supers

2-20-12 Education Issues in the News...Gov's Budget Message tomorrow afternoon

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 8:40:3 EST

Philadelphia Inquirer - In bid for N.J. school aid,sense of betrayal

Star Ledger.Opinion.NJ Voices - Did Gov. Christie drop a hint on school aid formula re-do?

Gloucester County Times � Deptford schools to implement new, state-mandated teacher evaluations before year's end

S1455 Ruiz TEACHNJ Act, introduced February 2012

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 15:51:25 EST

This bill is in PDF format for your convenience in downloding and printing... GSCS Members: your feedback is appreciated, send to - gscs2000@gmail.com - thank you.

The next Senate Education Committee meeting is March 5.The agenda has not yet been finalized, but it is possible that S1455 could be scheduled to be heard on the 5th.

2-17-12 Education Issues in the News

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 9:21:29 EST

Bloomberg Business Week - New York Teacher Deal Links Evaluations to Student Test Scores

NJ Spotlight - NJ Rewarding 12 Districts for Improving Special Ed�$1 million to be spent on programs for children with disabilities

Star Ledger -Senate committee approves Gov. Christie's Secretary of Higher Education appointment

2-16-12 Education Issues in the News

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:14:38 EST

Star Ledger editorial - N.J. lawmakers should (at last) confirm Acting Education Commissioner Chris Cerf

NJ Spotlight - Anderson's Meeting with Newark Teachers: Civil and a Little Nervous�Educators understand that super's consolidation plans could mean fewer teachers on the payroll

2-15-12 Education Issues in the News

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 9:49:50 EST

Asbury Park Press - Gov. Christie against constitutional convention on taxes, schools �...Gov. Chris Christie does not, for now, support the idea advanced by a Democratic power broker that New Jersey should hold a constitutional convention to address taxes and school-funding issues.... George E. Norcross III, in interviews published Sunday by New Jersey Press Media, called for a constitutional convention that could change how taxes are raised and how government is organized in New Jersey.

NJ Spotlight - New List Of SDA School Projects Will Face Tough History Lesson

2-14-12 Education Issues in the News

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:3:21 EST

NJ Spotlight - Will Christie Cut School Aid?...With Cerf working on a report about school funding, some districts are already resigned to seeing no increases ��If my members were held to flat funding, it would be hard to be content with that,� said Lynne Strickland, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, which represents mostly suburban districts. David Abbott, superintendent of Marlboro schools and president of the Garden State Coalition, said districts are growing resigned to the austere times in the aftermath of Christie�s cuts in his first budget�.�

Star Ledger - Hearing on N.J. acting education boss postponed over residency questions

2-13-11 Education and Related Issues in the News

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 7:52:57 EST

Asbury Park Press - South Jersey power broker stepping out from shadows�Norcross sees Camden rising, new directions for New Jersey http://www.app.com/article/20120212/NJOPINION06/302120024/South-Jersey-power-broker-Norcross-stepping-out-from-shadows

NJ Spotlight - The Tale of Two Troubled NJ School Districts�Paterson may turn takeover page, while Newark�s state control faces court challenge

NJ Spotlight - New Jersey Gets Serious About Sharing Core Services�Consolidation initiatives are sweeping the state, with governor and legislature adding bipartisan backing

Department of Education Reaches Out for Nominations for 2012 'Exemplary Educators'

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 9:32:29 EST

The deadline for nominations is 4-6-12. Click here on More for detailed information.

November Elections for Schools - Department of Education FAQ's

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 8:12:29 EST

2-10-12 On Senate Voting Session this Monday February13

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 7:42:15 EST

GSCS Supports: S610 [Sweeney, Stephen M.+1], Ed. svc. agencies-concerns estab

2-10-12 'New Jersey among states to have No Child Left Behind education requirements lifted'

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 6:22:42 EST

Star Ledger - NewJersey among states to have No Child Left Behind education requirements lifted� ��The Garden StateCoalition of Schools, which represents suburban districts, said the waiver does away with the negative "labeling" of No Child Left Behind, however."This will be a welcome relief to schools that have not been making adequate yearlyprogress (AYP) while the overwhelming majority ... of their students are reaching AYP requirements," executive director Lynne Strickland said.

2-10-12 Education News - More on NCLB Waiver to New Jersey, Nine Other States

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 7:24:44 EST

NJ Spotlight - NJ Given Chance to Move Beyond No Child Left Behind�Obama administration grants waiver for state to try its own schools plan

The Record - N.J. gains waiver from federal No Child Left Behind law

Asbury Park Press-Associated Press - A look at what federal waiver could mean in NJ

2-9-12 Education Week - Ten States Get NCLB Waivers, New Mexico Has to Wait

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 12:24:32 EST

"...The states awarded waivers are Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. The waivers allow states to escape from some of the central provisions and sanctions associated with the decade-old federal law...In exchange, states have agreed to set new academic targets and establish new strategies for evaluating educators and turning around struggling schools, among other expectations... states will be freed from a deadline�widely criticized as unrealistic�that all students be deemed "proficient" in reading and math by 2014, and from [certain]sanctions imposed.."

2-9-12 a.m. The Record - NJ, nine other states get waiver for No Child Left Behind Law

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 9:23:56 EST

The Record ��Cerf had put had put high hopes in getting the waiver, which he said would allow for a much more nuanced way of identifying schools� strengths and flaws for more pinpointed remedies, especially in the schools that are truly troubled. The waiver application became his blueprint for reform. �They key is not only how we evaluate schools but also the associated interventions we have designed that give greater latitude to our best performing schools..."

Breaking News: The federal Government has announced that New Jersey is one of 10 states to be exempte from No Child Left Behind rules

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 8:52:46 EST

2-9-12 Commissioner Cerf Letter on Teacher Evaluation Program - Process & Implementation Update from NJDOE 2-8-12...extends, milestones

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 8:58:57 EST

GSCS Members, your feedback is appreciated...send to - gscs2000@gmail.com - thank you.

2-9-12 Teacher Evaluation program updated, more details specified

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 8:58:8 EST

GSCS: Late yesterday afternoon Commissioner Cerf sent a �Teacher Evaluation� update letter to all school districts, noting that ��In the 2012-2013 school year, each districts will have two options for preparing for full implementation�we will work with every district to make sure they are building their capacity and establishing conditions for successful implementation in all schools in 2013-2014.� The letter goes on to list a number of milestones all districts must meet in 2012-2013 prior to the 2013-2014 implementation year. GSCS Notes: program revisions will facilitate the dovetailing of the evaluation program with the parameters in S1455 (Ruiz), the TEACH NJ ACT re: teacher tenure reform. (See the Commissioner's letter above here on the GSCS homepage.)

NJ Spotlight - 'Education Department Extends Teacher Evaluation Pilot to as Many as 30 More Districts�New plans give the rest of the districts more time to revamp how they judge teachers' � �But the rules for the remaining 500-plus districts have eased some; earlier statements said that every district would implement a new evaluation system in at least one school. Instead, each district will only have to begin building and testing an evaluation framework that breaks teachers into four categories of effectiveness, from "ineffective" to "highly effective." They will not have to implement it in a school...But the rules for the remaining 500-plus districts have eased some..."

2-8-12 Education and Related Issues in the News

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 13:33:48 EST

Asbury Park Press - N.J. education commissioner likes tenure reform bill, wants pay changes..."Cerf also reiterated his longstanding opposition to allowing voters in a school district to decide whether or not to approve a charter school..."

Courier Post - Property taxes rose at a slower rate in 2011

NJ Spotlight -School Testing Investigation Moves to Next Phase�State investigators to begin interviewing teachers at nine schools

NJ Spotlight - November Option for School Elections Opens Floodgates for Switch�300 school districts poised to make changes that take budgets off annual ballot

2-7-12 Education Issues in the News

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 9:3:13 EST

Star Ledger -Bill to change N.J. teacher tenure rules is reintroduced by lawmaker

Asbury Park Press-Associated Press - NJ bill requiring teens stay in school advances

NJ Spotlight - Tepid Support as Sweeney Renews Pitch for Shared Services�Bill creating voluntary county hubs for education programs clears Senate committee

NJ Spotlight - NJ Bill Would Raise Age of Compulsory Education to 18�Keeping kids in school longer, experts contend, is only one part of a larger solution

NJ Spotlight - Rough Start for Newark Super's School Reorganization Strategy�Next up: Superintendent takes plans for closings and other changes to the neighborhoods

2-6-12 Education Issues in the News

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 7:36:59 EST

Courier Post - Teacher tenure reform headed for runway � ��Lynne Strickland of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, which represents suburban school districts, said she could see numerous points of compromise in the legislation. She said the bill appeared to be on the fast track��

NJ Spotlight - NJ Bill Would Raise Age of Compulsory Education to 18�Keeping kids in school longer, experts contend, is only one part of a larger solution

Courier Post � "...Changes to anti-bully bill delayed The decision hasn�t been issued yet,� said the council�s executive administrator, Shawn Slaughter...written decision would be issued in 60 days. Once that comes out, they�ll probably make moves in the Legislature to get it fixed.�

2- 4 and 5 -2012 Newark Superintendent's Recommendation to reorganize schools hits controversy right out the gates

Sun, 5 Feb 2012 16:22:0 EST

Star Ledger - Conversation with Newark Schools Superintendent Cami Anderson

Star Ledger - Unruly crowd forces Newark superintendent to end presentation on school closings early

2-3-12 Education in the News - Trenton on the move

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 10:24:51 EST

NJ Spotlight - Fine Print: Sen. Ruiz�s New Tenure Bill�New teacher categories and a new emphasis on evaluation and student performance make this bill both controversial and compelling� ��But the new bill provides added powers for superintendents and school boards to sign off on the decisions��

New Jersey Newsroom - N.J. Assembly panel approves bill raising mandatory school attendance from age 16 to 18

Asbury Park Press - Bills restricting charter schools advance� ��Another bill that would ramp up requirements on current charter schools passed unanimously Thursday� The bills are expected to come to a vote in the Assembly. It was uncertain whether they expected to advance in the Senate.�

NJ Spotlight - Assembly Committee Votes to Put Charters Under Local Control�Bill calls for local referendum on any school that wants to be granted a charter in a NJ district� ��But the local referendum bill may never get to the governor�s desk, since the Senate has yet to take up the measure� Gov. Chris Christie is not expected to support it, but he has lately sent some mixed messages on the extent of charter school growth in the state, and especially in better-performing suburban districts...�

2-3-12 Trenton Update: Legislative action on Thursday

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 8:54:53 EST

Education Issues were front and center yesterday in Trenton. Senator Ruiz' Tenure and Evaluation bill, S1455 TEACH NJ was released for public review...The Assembly Education Committee heard and voted out several bills in a long afternoon hearing, includind Charter School related bills A1877 Local Vote (required before allowing - or not - a charter school to be established in a local district); A2147 Charter School Accountability and Transparency Act; and A1608 Janet's Law which requires that local schools have defibrillators on site...GSCS testified in favor of all 3 bills. Janet's Law has already passed in the Senate Education committee and is poised for final passage. The Charter school bills have not seen any action in the Senate yet...Stay tuned...

2-2-12 Education in the News - Test Results...differing perspectives

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:17:8 EST

Star Ledger - Despite aid cuts, N.J. students improved test scores in 2010-11 school year� �New Jersey's public school students racked up slightly higher test scores in most grades in the 2010-11 school year, despite Gov. Chris Christie's cutting about $1 billion in state aid to schools that year, according to standardized test results released today by the state Board of Education��

NJ Spotlight - State Test Scores Reveal Some Gains, Widening Achievement Gap�Budget cuts cost New Jersey school districts $1 billion, with some of the poorest districts paying the biggest price

Press of Atlantic City � Students' test scores divided by socio-economic gap in New Jersey� ��Suburban districts are working to address the special needs of low-income students. Galloway Township Superintendent Annette Giaquinto said the district is encouraging more low-income students to come in for breakfast because it can lead to better academic performance. Anderson said it takes a lot of extra programs to compensate for the effects of poverty��

2-1-12 Assembly Education Committe to Hold Hearing on Charter School Initiatives

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:14:15 EST

The Assembly Education Committee on Thursday will consider a package of bills to strengthen the development and authorization of charter schools in New Jersey. The hearing is set for 2 p.m. Thursday, February 2, in Committee Room 11 on the fourth floor of the State House Annex. It will be streamed live at www.njleg.state.nj.us.(per Assembly Democrats release)

2-1-12 Anti-Bullying and Special Education Education Issues in the News

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:6:1 EST

Star Ledger editorial - 'N.J. should fix anti-bullying law, not gut it'...(GSCS Note: GSCS concurs with the spirit of this editorial. GSCS was present at the Council of Local Mandates hearing when they rendered their decision on the law being an unfunded mandate. The Council made it clear that they hoped that the state would fix the law by addressing the unfunded mandate problem within the law. In fact, that is why - as stated with clarity by the Council at that time - that the Council's decision included a 60 day delay which would give the state time to 'fix' the problem and thus the law's intent could stay uninterrupted and intact.)

NJ Spotlight - Newark Special Ed Settlement, A Decade in the Details

Upcoming - Assembly and Senate Education Committee Agendas

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 9:43:51 EST

The Assembly Education Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in Committee Room 11, 4th floor, the State House Annex (Charter School Reform bills are on this agenda).

The Senate Education Committee will meet on Monday, February 6, 2012 at 10:00 AM in Committee Room 6, 1st Floor, State House Annex...Click here on More to see bills listed for hearing in both committees.

1-31-12 'Christie Open to Ways to Remedy Anti-Bullying Setback'

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 9:23:8 EST

NJ Spotlight - Christie Open to Ways to Remedy Anti-Bullying Setback�Money may be found to satisfy state ruling that portions of the landmark law are an unfunded mandate� �"Would removing those portions that are an unfunded mandate eviscerate the bill?" he [Christie] said. "If that is the case, perhaps we can talk about ways that maybe could fund it."

1-30-12 Education Issues in the News

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:15:31 EST

NJ Spotlight - Dealing with Bullies Back in NJ Legislature�s Court...Little-known state council directs lawmakers to fix unfunded state mandate

NJ Spotlight - 'Hybrid' Charters Will Meld Online Lessons With Conventional Instruction�Education 'entrepreneur' to bring new type of school to two of New Jersey�s toughest cities

The Record - Kelly: Teachers turn to subtler protests over contracts

1-27-12 Breaking News: Council on Local Mandates Issues Anti-Bullying Decision this afternoon - an unfunded mandate

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:11:45 EST

GSCS Notes (GSCS was present at the hearing at the Statehouse Annex today): The Council on Local Mandates at its hearing in Trenton today determined by a 7-2 vote that Anti-Bullying legislation as presently constituted is an unfunded mandate�Council Chairman John Sweeney stated that the law �should be fixed but that�s the job of the legislature and the Governor."

Council members noted that the Allamuchy School District's unfunded mandate complaint, was supported by other districts such as Ridgewood, Marlboro, Rivervale and Demarest via resolutions submitted to the Council.

The order is to become effective when the Council�s written decision is issued�probably within 60 days or so.

The Council�s stated hope is that legislature will figure out way to fund this mandate, so that the �law and its intent not lost at all.� Council does support anti-bullying legislation and��the state should put its money where its mouth is.�

The Record - Anti-bullying law imposes unfunded mandate on N.J. school districts, state body rules

Nj.com-Star Ledger - N.J. will need money to fund new anti-bullying law, council rules

1-26-12 School Districts Sign on to Move Board Elections to November

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 8:6:56 EST

NJ Spotlight - School Districts Sign on to Move Board Elections to November...Breaking with century-old tradition, nearly 60 districts opt to hold their contests on Election Day

1-26-12 'Warren County school district challenges N.J. anti-bullying law'

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:28:58 EST

(GSCS FYI: The Council on Local Mandates is holding a hearing on this issue tomorrow.)

Star Ledger - Warren County school district challenges N.J. anti-bullying law� �The New Jersey State Bar Association filed a brief supporting the anti-bullying law as constitutional, while the Ridgewood and River Vale school districts submitted resolutions in favor of Allamuchy...But while school districts across the state say they support the idea of eradicating bullying, many have complained provisions of the new law are costly and time-consuming.

1-25-12 Education and Related Issues in the News

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:17:25 EST

Courier Post-Associated Press - Analysis: N.J. educators earn D+� �The analysis considers how teachers are trained, evaluated, rewarded and fired.But it does not assess the overall state of teaching and learning. That�s an area where, on average, New Jersey is among the highest-performing states �� The group did find a few bright spots in the state, where it said New Jersey has best practices: It found its standards for high school science teachers are high, and the state is good at dismissing teachers who do not meet license requirements.�

NJ Spotlight - Finger-Pointing Precedes Teacher Contract Talks in Newark�With negotiations resuming, union, superintendent at odds over plans for troubled schools

Press of Atlantic City - New Jersey third in student performance, non-profit group says...A national report card on education in America has ranked New Jersey third in the country for student performance and awarded it a B-minus for state education policy.

1-24-12 More on Christie's Supreme Court Nominees

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:31:36 EST

NJ Spotlight -Christie Sets Path with Picks for NJ Supreme Court...Nominations of two new justices is historic day for the state's highest court..."...Now, Gov. Chris Christie is taking advantage of his once-a-generation opportunity, yesterday nominating two more justices to the seven-member court -- making it three so far this term -- with potentially a fourth to come in 2013..."

1-24-12 Education Issues in the News

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 9:52:52 EST

Newjerseynewsroom.com - Bill to create N.J. teacher loan forgiveness program clears Senate committee

NJ Spotlight - NJ Loses Superintendent of Year to NY�Cap on pay has superintendents considering their options -- and sometimes moving on..."A month after being honored on the floor of the state Senate, New Jersey�s school superintendent of the year is headed to New York, another consequence of the Christie administration�s cap on school administration salaries...He�s not the only superintendent to depart. Montesano�s brother Jim also left New Jersey schools, where he was last the superintendent in Paramus, to become superintendent in Nyack, N.Y. And New Jersey superintendents are retiring or leaving the state at nearly double the rate since the caps were put in place at the start of last year. �I�m sure there will be more of us,� Montesano said..."

1-24-12 Supreme Court Justices Nominated by Governor Christie

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 9:47:26 EST

Press of Atlantic City-Associated Press - Christie nominates gay black man, Asian to New Jersey Supreme Court seats

Asbury Park Press - Gay rights takes on new urgency

The Record - Stile: Christie stakes out a spot in the center

1-23-12 Gov. Christie nominates two for state Supreme Court

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:48:50 EST

Star Ledger - Gov. Christie nominates two for state Supreme Court, including gay African-American mayor...TRENTON � Gov. Chris Christie today nominated an openly gay African-American Republican mayor and a Korean-American assistant attorney general to the state�s highest court...

1-23-12 Trenton Briefs today January 23, 2012

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:54:25 EST

Christie wants Senate to move on Cerf hearing...Defibrillator law clears committee...Teacher loan redemption bill clears committee...Student survey-permission bill OK'd along party lines...(State Street Wire headlines on action in Senate Education Committee, plus push for Cerf nomination to be cleared)

1-23-12 Education Issues in the News

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 7:15:1 EST

Star Ledger - N.J. school boards use law to change election dates "We count 17 so far," he [Frank Belluscio, NJ School Boards Assoc.]said. "There is far greater interest in the election change than anticipated, and we expect additional boards to take action (this) week."

Press of Atlantic City - New Jersey school boards, towns await guidelines on moving elections to fall ��school officials are also waiting for guidance but are being advised to pass a resolution in January so they can be ready when the state guidelines are posted��

NJ Spotlight.com - Garden State Autism Researchers Get Boost to Advance Work�New Jersey earmarks $8 million to coordinate and expand clinical studies under central site

1-20-12 Department of Education approves 8 new charter schools

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:50:29 EST

Announced later today by Department of Education: 'Christie Administration Continues to Expand School Options for Students'...Across the State with the Approval of 8 New Charter Schools

Charter School for Global Leadership/Camden 9-12... City Invincible Charter School/Camden K-8... COMPASS Academy Charter School/Millville,Pittsgrove,Vineland K-5...Hope Community Charter School/Camden K-4...Jersey City Global Charter School K-6...Newark Prep Charter School 6-12...Paulo Freire Charter School 9-12...Trenton Prep Charter School 6-12

Star Ledger - Department of Education approves 8 new charter schools, 2 in Newark (Published: Friday, January 20, 2012, 7:27 PM)..."Noticeably absent from today�s list were proposed charter schools in high performing suburban districts like Highland Park, South Orange-Maplewood and Montclair..."

1-20-12 The Record article updates information on new School Elections Vote law

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:47:54 EST

The Record - Changes in school board elections being sorted out � An Education Department spokesman, Richard Vespucci, said members of four state agencies, including the Attorney General's Office, are scheduled to meet today to hammer out guidelines for implementing the law...

1-20-12 Education Issues in the News

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 9:34:57 EST

NJ Spotlight - Christie Takes His School Reform Message to Irvington Church�Feisty great-aunt takes exception to governor's approach to teacher evaluation

Star Ledger - At Irvington town hall, Gov. Christie addresses crime, education reform

Politickernj.com - Education Dept. rejects ELC repair complaints; Diegnan plans hearings

1-19-12 Education Issues in the News

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 9:16:14 EST

Star Ledger - Gov. Christie: I can cut N.J. income taxes while boosting state education aid� ��Republican governor told a town hall audience in Vorhees he would phase-in the [10% income tax] cut over three years at a cost of $300 million per year�"I would tell you we�ll be able to do that not only without cutting aid to education but with increasing aid to education." � The promise is a direct reaction to Democrats in control the Legislature who pounced on Christie�s income tax plan ��

Politickernj.com - Christie pledges more aid to school districts 'shut out' of process� Gov. Chris Christie said on Wednesday the state will provide more school aid to districts that have largely been shut out since much of the aid was given to the state�s neediest schools��

Politickernj.com - Christie says charter schools should be targeted toward failing districts

Philadelphia Inquirer - At Voorhees town hall, Christie fields charter school complaints

Star Ledger - N.J. education boss Christopher Cerf moves out of Essex County� Acting state Education Commissioner Chris Cerf has moved out of Essex County, where a Democratic state senator has been blocking his confirmation for more than a year, to a heavily Republican legislative district.

1-18-12 GSCS �Take� on the School Elections Law

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:32:6 EST

GSCS �Take� on the School Elections Law

(A4394/S3148): �The new law allows school districts to move their April elections to the November general election, either by asking voters for their OK � or by a resolution of the local school board or governing body. In districts that move elections to November, boards will also no longer have to seek voter approval for budgets that fall within the state's 2 percent tax levy increase cap.� (Star Ledger, 1-18-12)

GSCS: This law is �effective immediately� upon the Governor�s signing (1-17-12).The timeline to implement this option is will be short. This is a complicated issue that needs open public discussion, especially since it provides that districts that opt for the November election will not have a public vote for school budgets that do not exceed the 2% cap (as legislated by prior law). It's reasonable that each community will need to understand and be given enough time to absorb the details and implications of the changes in this new law. With all that has been going on in New Jersey, it is our sense that the public has not been tuned into A4394, and thus care � within reason, given the abbreviated timelines - should be taken to appropriately inform community.

See GSCS website listings below for additional information on this new law.

1-18-12 Education & Related Issues in the news

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:28:28 EST

The Record, Star Ledger - Gov. Christie signs bill changing school board elections, budget votes��The new law allows school districts to move their April elections to the November general election, either by asking voters for their OK � or by a resolution of the local school board or governing body.In districts that move elections to November, boards will also no longer have to seek voter approval for budgets that fall within the state's 2 percent tax levy increase cap.

NJ Spotlight - Fine Print: New Law for November School Elections�While optional, calendar shift is significant change to the way NJ has voted on school taxes

NJ Spotlight - For Christie, 2012 Is the Year to Act on Education Reform � Again�Teacher tenure gaining traction among lawmakers as debates on education continue to swirl ��"Over the course of the last year, since outlining my proposals from this podium, I have worked with this legislature � on a bipartisan basis � to put in front of you a package of bills that will address the biggest challenges facing public education in New Jersey," he said yesterday."We have had a year to debate, discuss and deliberate. Now, in 2012, it is time to act�"What we've been doing isn't working for children in failing districts, it is unfair to the other 557 school districts and to our state's taxpayers, who spend more per pupil than almost any state in America," he said. "Basic human decency and simple common sense say it is time for a different and better approach��" Hearing the backlash, Christie yesterday didn't say suburbs should be spared entirely, but he repeated previous comments by pledging "to focus on our failing school districts ... We must give parents and children in failing schools an alternative�"

Governor Christie's STATE OF STATE REMARKS delivered Tuesday afternoon, January 17, 2012

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:51:5 EST

Click on More here for the PDF of the Governor's full State of the State message. See pages 7, 8 and 9 of the attached remarks for the Governor's specific comments on his education reform agenda for 2012.

1-17-12 New '215th Legislative Session' begins today - Education & Related Issues

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:13:53 EST

Wall Street Journal - Christie Pledges School Aid Battle�New Jersey Governor Seeks to Remake Supreme Court in Effort to Change Education Funding for Poor and Urban Districts

Asbury Park Press - Christie still considering school election changes...Has until Tuesday [Jan. 17, 2012] to sign measure

NJ Spotlight - New Session, Charter School Law Still Broken?...As Christie administration decides on new charters, debate continues about how to fix 15-year-old law

Politickernj.com - Bramnick new Minority Leader

1-15 & 16-12 Education Issues in the News

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:11:36 EST

Star Ledger - PolitiFact N.J.: Education advocate crosses the line in criticism of school construction program...Politifact.com � The Truth-O-Meter Says False

Star Ledger Column: Moran - Demand for top N.J. charter schools exceeds available seats

1-13-12 Committee assignments for new 215th Legislative Session signal change and some emerging controversy

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:20:18 EST

Courierpostonline.com - 'Rewards,retributions at State House as committees assigned'

1-13-12 Alternative Press-Legislature Votes for Changes to School Board Election Dates and Budget Votes

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:16:53 EST

(Read article for some specific information of this law.) "...Two years ago,New Jersey voters rejected 260 of 479 school budgets, even ones that includedsignificant cuts and were within the state cap. Accordingto Lynne Strickland, Executive Director of the Garden State Coalition ForSchools, which represents suburban schools, most of her districts support this bill. �School boards appreciate the fact that there�s an option,� she said.

Dr. JamesCrisfield, Superintendent of Millburn Township Schools, is one administratorwho sees the value of eliminating budget votes...Strickland has concerns about the options to initiate a change to November as detailed inthe legislation. The fact that a municipality can, on its own, make a resolution without support of the Board of Education, and vice versa, sets aprecedent. Strickland said she believes this raises a �governance concern.� She also mentioned that some people worry that school elections could turn partisan whenheld in November alongside major state and national contests..."

1-12 to13-12 Urban Hope bill, which targets Camden, Newark, Trenton, signed into law by the Governor

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:4:53 EST

Newjerseynewsroom.com - Christie signs Urban Hope Act allowingnonprofit-run schools in Camden, Newark and Trenton

NJSpotlight - Camden Sees Hope in Promise of New Schools Built by Nonprofits�Christie signs UrbanHope Act in struggling city to spotlight his reform for failing schools

A4394 - November School Elections final bill, as voted on January 9, 2012

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 9:45:28 EST

Click on More here to see final legislation. Note that this bill, when signed into law by the Governor, becomes "effective immediately", per language on p.39 in the bill. (Material in brackets indicate those bracketed words were deleted/see below.)

2[46.] 47.2 This act shall take effect 228 [on January 1 next following enactment] immediately229 .

1-13-12 Legislature Votes for Changes to School Board Election Dates and Budget Vote

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:43:52 EST

1-12-12 Education Week's Qualiity Counts 2012 Report published

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:3:23 EST

EDUCATION WEEK - "Quality Counts 2012, takes a critical look at the nation's place among the world's public education systems. VeteranEducation Week journalists put to the test popular assumptions about the country's competitive status in education..."

1-12-12 Education Issues in the News

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 9:37:18 EST

NJ Spotlight - School Districts Oppose Anti-Bullying Law as an Unfunded Mandate�Rutgers' coalition of concerned students joins with state to oppose challenge

courierpostonline.com - Christie to sign bill in Camden to privatize some schools

Senate Posts Committee Assignments for 215th Legislative Session

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:1:42 EST

Politickernj.com - Senate committee assignments for 2012: Weinberg, Pou join budget panel �(Senator James Beach (D-6, Voorhees) will also be joining the Education Committee, taking the place of state Sen. Jim Whelan, (D-2), Atlantic City, whose vice presidency will be assumed by state Sen. Shirley Turner, (D-15), Lawrenceville.

1-11-12 Education & Related Issues in the News

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 9:59:41 EST

NJ Spotlight - Driving the Teacher Quality Component for Education Reform�Assistant State Commissioner Peter Shulman brings experience and expertise to his latest post

Asbury Park Press - Despite setback, Long Beach Island district still plans school closure, consolidation Bloomberg - Segregated Charter Schools Evoke Separate But Equal Era in U.S.

Bloomberg - Segregated Charter Schools Evoke Separate But Equal Era in U.S.

Daily Record - Alex DeCroce, Assembly Minority Leader, dies at Statehouse

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 3:24:25 EST

Daily Record - Alex DeCroce, Assembly Minority Leader, dies at Statehouse

Star Ledger - N.J. Assemblyman Alex DeCroce collapses, dies in Statehouse after long legislative session...N.J. Assemblyman's death prompts Gov. Christie to postpone his State of the State address

GSCS greatly regrets the passing of Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce who cared so strongly for the well-being of the people of New Jersey and who tirelessly devoted so many years of his life to public service.

1-10-12 In the News - Reflections and Reporting on Education Reform Issues in the Last Legislative Session and the Forthcoming Legislative Session

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:41:7 EST

MyCentralJersey.com - NJ education reform: School budget election changes, private urban charter schools OK'd�Private urban charter schools OK'd

NJ Spotlight - The State of the Governor's Education Agenda�Christie was not short on ambition when it came to education, but how did he fare on his own promises?

1-9-12 and 1-10-12 Lame Duck Session Closes

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:18:1 EST

Star Ledger - Bills fly through Senate, Assembly as jam-packed day in Trenton unfolds "�The Legislature handed Christie a small but welcome victory on education reform, passing a bill that gives private companies unprecedented authority to build and manage up to a dozen public schools in Newark, Camden and Trenton..."

Philadelphia Inquirer - Last-minute N.J. measures: Pets to school budgets

Star Ledger - N.J. Senate passes bill banning political fundraising on all public property

The Record - Bills cleared on final day include sports betting, school election measures

1-9-12 Lame Duck Voting Update: The Senate (Monday before 6 PM )

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 21:49:28 EST

Politickernj.com - Senate passes bill moving school elections to November...TRENTON - Senate Bill 3148, which would move School Board elections from April to the date of the November general election, easily passed on third reading today in the senate by a vote of 34-3

Star Ledger - N.J. Senate approves Christie-backed bill to allow private companies to manage schools in poor cities

1-9-12 November School Elections Bill - Information as of this morning

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 9:16:24 EST

A4394/S3148 "Establishes procedures for districts, municipalities, or voters to OPT to move the annual school election to November and eliminates vote on school budgets for such districts, except for separate proposals to spend above cap" The Bill states it is �Effective Immediately� upon passage�

School Budget Approval Processes - to remain the same...If this bill passes in both houses today, it will go directly to the Governor's desk for signature to become law. We are told it is highly probable that the Governor will sign...click here on More for bill 'Statement' which describes parameters of this legislation...

1-9-12 Lame Duck Voting Session today includes Moving School Elections to November bill and Urban Hope Act, among others

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 8:55:7 EST

LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR FOR JANUARY 9 � MARCH 15, 2012 LAME DUCK LEGISLATIVE VOTING SESSION CONCLUDES JANUARY 9

JANUARY 10 - NEW LEGISLATURE REORGANIZATION;GOVERNOR�S STATE OF THE STATE MESSAGE

FEBRUARY 21 - GOVERNOR'S BUDGET MESSAGE

Click here on More for full lame duck voting schedule and bills

1-9-12 Urban Hope Act on Lame Duck agenda today

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 10:8:36 EST

Star Ledger column -Braun: NJEA support for private management of public schools displays weakness, cynicism

NJ Spotlight - George Norcross Discusses Urban Hope Act, Other Education Reforms�South Jersey powerbroker talks to NJ Spotlight about how Camden's first 'renaissance school' could be under construction in a year's time

1-8-12 Charter School Controversy, Suburban Push Back In the News

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 8:49:55 EST

NY Times - Rejected 3 Times, School May Still Open Soon, and With a Grant, Too� ��Then on Oct. 6, one week after the state�s most recent rejection, the United States Education Department announced that it had approved a $600,000 grant to finance Ms. Akman�s proposed charter.It would have taken federal officials just a few phone calls to determine that there were many good reasons for the state to have rejected Ms. Akman�s applications. For one thing, they have been full of misrepresentations��

NJ Spotlight Opinion- In the Suburbs, Charter Schools Raise Concerns About Local Control�Can a local school district block a charter from opening or refuse to fund it?

1-8-12 Governor Christie - Education Reform 2012 and Property Tax Reduction 2011

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 8:46:54 EST

Philadelphia Inquirer - Christie: 2012 will be year of education reform

Star Ledger - Special Report: Did N.J. property tax reform help most taxpayers? �New Jersey homeowners paid an average of 2.4 percent more for property taxes in 2011, the smallest increase in nearly two decades, showing Gov. Chris Christie�s push to restrain local levies might be working��

1-6-12 Education in the News, plus Lame Duck Legislative Action on Education Issues

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 7:53:29 EST

The Record-Northjersey.com- November school elections bill moves forward...(GSCS Note: This bill is set for final passage on in this Monday's Legislative Voting Session, however it cannot be law until the Governor signs the bill. Since the Republican lawmakers on the Assembly Budget Committee did not cast their votes in favor or the bill, the future status of this bill is still not written in stone.)

Asbury ParkPress -Private-public schools bill advances

NJ Spotlight - After Last-Minute Changes, Lawmakers Poised to Vote on Urban Hope Act�Bill would allow for private building of public 'renaissance schools' in the state's poorest cities

NJ Spotlight - Christie Administration Divvies Up Its Race to the Top Winnings�Education budget demonstrates that $38 million can buy a lot of school reform

1-5-12 Education and Related Issues in the News

Thu, 5 Jan 2012 8:53:5 EST

Press of Atlantic City Opinion - Urban Hope Act / What�s the rush?

NJ Spotlight - Criminal Background Check Law Leaves Some School Board Members in Limbo�Missing the year-end deadline makes members 'ineligible' but not 'disqualified'

Star Ledger - N.J. lawmakers scramble to pass bills as legislative session comes to a close

URBAN HOPE BILL poised for fast track in waning days of Lame Duck - to be heard tomorrow

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 10:34:31 EST

"Urban Hope Act" S3173 (Senator Donald Norcross)/A4426(Assemblyman Angel Fuentes): provides a process to permit authorized entities to build, operate, and manage "renaissance school projects" as public schools in no more than three identified failing districts."

This bill - already controversial, opposed by the Education Law Center, yet signed off on by the NJEA - is scheduled to be heard tomorrow in both the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and Assembly Budget Committee, and for the moment would be applicable only to Camden, Jersey City and Newark. Excerpt: STATEMENT for S3173 - The bill is entitled the �Urban Hope Act.� The bill authorizes the designation of three failing school districts as renaissance school districts�The bill provides that the costs of a renaissance school project, including the costs of land acquisition, site remediation, site development, design, construction, and any other costs required to place into service the school facility or facilities constituting the renaissance school projects, would be the sole expense of the nonprofit entity. However, the nonprofit entity may use State funds to pay for a lease, debt service, or mortgage for any facility constructed or otherwise acquired..."

Education Issues in the News

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 10:48:12 EST

Asbury Park Press/Gannett-Reforms may end teacher tenure in N.J...Asbury Park Press/Gannett-Reforms may end teacher tenure in N.J. (TUESDAY, JAN. 3 With New Jersey facing a crucial period in which its future will be decided, New Jersey Press Media newspapers have taken a hard look at a number of areas where the Garden State will be experiencing significant change. For this 10-part series, we interviewed experts, local difference-makers and entrepreneurs about what New Jersey will look like and what it could or should look like.

Today�s topic: Education.) ��Strickland (GSCS Executive Director) said teachers and parents are still waiting to see what all the changes [reform agenda] will eventually mean. �The effort I s[primarily] pitched toward school districts that are having performance issues,� Strickland said. �Those schools that are performing well, parents and educators want them to be continue to do well, and they�re worried they�re going to be held back by a one-size fits all approach.�

AP Interview: Acting education commissioner Cerf frustrated with achievement gap, relationship with NJEA

NJ Spotlight - A New Year: Five To Watch in Education�A look at who will be shaping schools in 2012

RALLY TARGETS CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATIONS in Suburbs

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 20:29:18 EST

Montclair Patch "The rally will oppose the Quest charter school in Montclair and the Mandarin-immersion charter school that would draw students from South Orange, Maplewood and West Orange.(Friday, January 6 at 4:30 p.m., residents will be meeting at the Maplewood Community Center in DeHart Park to protest the applications.)

Look immediately below this clip for letter from district representatives Assemblywoman Mila Jasey and Assemblyman John McKeon on their position regarding charter schools in suburban districts/excerpt - "...We know the tremendous difficulties our school boards are facing. Now is not the time to divert funding from our public schools by creating boutique charter schools in districts that are not failing."

Position letter on Charter Schools in Suburbs by Assemblywoman Mila Jasey and Assemblyman John McKeon

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 20:23:37 EST

Politics and Related Education Issues - 2012

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 10:55:47 EST

Star Ledger - Analysis: Gov. Christie's work after two years in office a mixed bag

N.J. Democrats must not block Opportunity Scholarship Act January 01, 2012 - Star-Ledger Editorial Board

NJ Spotlight - 2011: The Year in Review in Politics�Pension and benefits reform, legislative power struggles, and the Big Guy himself -- Irene wasn't the only hurricane to hit New Jersey this year, by Michael Aron

12-21-11 Despite New Guidelines, Anti-Bullying Law Still a Matter for thte Attorneys

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:29:0 EST

NJ Spotlight...Across the state, school attorneys are serving as the point for anti-bullying actions

12-19-11 Education Issues in the News

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 9:40:41 EST

Press of Atlantic City - New Jersey will not get share of Race to the Top education funds

NJ Spotlight - Fine Print: New Jersey's "Race to the Top� Scores�The state misses out again, this time on the federal Early Learning Challenge

Star Ledger - 50 briefly occupy N.J. Department of Education lobby to protest charter schools

NJ Spotlight - A Year after His Appointment, Why Is Commissioner Cerf Still 'Acting'?...Political grudges, impassioned rhetoric may be keeping Cerf from Senate confirmation

State pays $40,000 to newspaper for withholding public information...Judge rules for Asbury Park Press

Department of Education Requests Names for 'Model Curriculum' Development Work Group.PDF

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:30:29 EST

�� The plan for developing a quality �model� curriculum involves the engagement of state-wide experts as well as the national expertise available as a result of the adoption of CCSS by 46 states and the District of Columbia. In order to have the curriculum available for the 2012-2013 school year, we will need to begin work as soon as possible. Therefore, we are asking for your assistance in helping us to identify our best and brightest curriculum/assessment developers across the state to create teams for building this curriculum..."

12-16-11 Breaking News today - Race to the Top lost...Charter School Resisted by parents

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:23:55 EST

The Record - NJ misses out on Race to the Top education grant, report says..."New Jersey is not among the nine states that will share $500 million in grant money in a high profile competition intended to jumpstart improvements in often-overlooked early childhood programs, The Associated Press has learned.The winners to be announced Friday at the White House are California, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington..."

Star Ledger - Highland Park resists opening of Hebrew-language charter school..."...as attempts are made to establish charter schools in the suburbs, a rising tide of opposition and resentment has begun to emerge. Charter schools are independently run but receive public funds, taking money away from traditional public schools...Even Gov. Chris Christie, an ardent supporter of charter schools, has said they are not needed in high-performing suburban districts...."

12-16-11 November School Elections bill approved by Senate Committee

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 9:6:13 EST

Asbury Park Press - School elections bill advances in Assembly

�...The bill, which ends a century of practice and also permits the end of school budget votes, passed a state Senate committee despite the warnings from two state clerks... The bill...passed a state Senate committee despite the warnings from two state clerks... Melfi, and Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello, said it would be impossible to fit so much information on current ballots... State Sen. Robert M. Gordon, D-Bergen, said he could envision �a municipal council working to take over a school board, helping to sponsor candidates�and taking advantage of the heavy turnout.�He voted for the bill...Lynne Strickland, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, which represents suburban school districts, questioned a provision in the bill that would let municipal governments unilaterally decide to move school elections...�

12-16-11 Correction noted

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 9:53:11 EST

The GSCS 12-16-11 EMAIL-NET incorrectly stated that the 'Novemeber Elections' bill A4394 was released by the Assembly Education Committee. The bill was voted on and passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee on December 8, 2011. We apologize for the error.

GSCS Testimony S3148-A4394 November Election Bill

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:57:49 EST

"There is a basic issue with the new approval process for moving school board elections in S3148/A4394 to November general elections, where the municipal body - all on its own - can approve a November election for a school board, regardless of the board of education or public sentiment via petition.

GSCS believes this imposition of a municipal governing body over a school board and/or public vote is a first. The loss of checks and balance, as well as a new precedence where one governing body can overrule another requires a detailed analysis..." (This testimony was offered before the Senate State Governmnet, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee on December 15, 2011.)

12-15-11 Education News - November Election bill, School Construction in Suburbs

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 8:0:15 EST

Courier Post Online � School Elections Bill on the Table "A bill that would reverse more than a century of practice for school districts and voters will be considered today in a state Senate committee..."

NJ Spotlight - Suburban School Construction Hits Lowest Point in Past Decade�In the suburbs, a handful of renovation projects represent the only activity

12-14-11 Charter conflict issues delineated...College & Career Readiness hearing

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:22:1 EST

southorangepatch.com - OP-ED: Osborne's Letter to Education Commish on Charter Application�The Superintendent of Schools for South Orange-Maplewood, on behalf of the Board of Education, argues against granting approval for a Mandarin language immersion school for our district and West Orange

NJ Spotlight - New Task Force Tackles Familiar Topic: College and Career Readiness�Report due to governor by year end, with many opinions and options still to consider

12-13-11 Education Issues in the News

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 9:33:49 EST

NJ Spotlight - Newark's First Foray into Teacher Evaluation Pilot, with Teachers Front and Center�In first stage, superintendent begins to discuss details, build bridges to staff and community

Star Ledger - N.J. Assembly panel clears bill requiring school officials to notify parents of absentee children

NJ Spotlight - Administration Reveals Which Charters Have Made the First Cut�More than half the applications weeded out, at least for now

12-12-11 Education Issues - and controversies - in the News

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:38:20 EST

NJ Spotlight - SDA Building Blocks Standardize Design and Construction�Efficiency is the watchword, but critics say "kit of parts" approach can miss unique needs

Star Ledger column - Braun: New kind of N.J. school privatization on the rise

Star Ledger - Politifact.com - The Truth-O-Meter Says� Chris Christie says New Jersey teachers only work 180 days a year, average $60K salaries�

NY Times - Growing Push in Newark to Retake School Reins

12-9-11 Education November Election bill moves in Committee

Fri, 9 Dec 2011 13:37:39 EST

Asbury Park Press - School elections face historic move

NJ Spotlight - Bill Would Shift School Elections to November�Legislation would also eliminate budget votes for towns below 2 percent cap

12-8-11 Education in the News

Thu, 8 Dec 2011 7:43:25 EST

Wall Street Journal - School Vote Changes Weighed

NJ Spotlight - Pilot Teacher Evaluation System Slow to Gain Traction in Newark�Superintendent Anderson "disappointed" in teachers union, moving ahead in half-dozen schools

NJ Spotlight - Fine Print: Sen. Buono's Teacher Quality Bill�Rather than relying heavily on test scores, this bill focuses on peer evaluations and student portfolios

12-7-11 Assembly Appropriations to hear A4394 'November School Elections' bill tomorrow, 12-8-11

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 20:33:26 EST

GSCS: "There is a basic issue with the approval process in this bill for moving school board elections to November general elections, where the municipal body - all on its own - can approve a November election for a school board , regardless of the board or public sentiment. GSCS believes this is imposition of municipal governing body's will over school board and/or public vote is a first; the loss of check and balance is very worriesome. GSCS feels this major kind of change is radical, sets precednece and needs in depth conversation. We hope the legislature does not rush this well-intended bill through the lame duck session."

12-5-11 Education & Related Issues in the News

Mon, 5 Dec 2011 8:38:32 EST

New Jersey Newsroom - Report: N.J. Dept. of Education can consult data better to improve teaching

NJ Spotlight - From Brawls to Charter Challenges, They All Cross the Commissioner's Desk�Cerf is the last administrative word on legal challenges filed with state education department

Asbury Park Press-NJ Press Media- N.J. bond debt rises 3.1 percent

Politickernj.com-State Street Wire - Buono bill for teacher evaluations disregards standardized tests

Star Ledger column-�Moran - Perth Amboy superintendent takes on fight over teacher tenure

12-2-11 Lame Duck 'Stuck', Tenure, Teacher Evaluations , Charters & Opportunity Scholarship Act - In the News but not on Trenton's agenda [yet]

Fri, 2 Dec 2011 10:5:26 EST

NJ Spotlight - Education Reform Limps Along in Lame Duck�Closed-door meetings may lead to some movement, but odds are against it

NJ Spotlight - Head of New Jersey Charter School Office Steps Down�After less than a year on the job, Carly Bolger leaves for position in Chicago

Politicker.nj - Success in a hardscrabble city, one student at a time

Star Ledger - 2,500 attend Trenton rally supporting school voucher program for N.J. students in failing districts

12-1-11 'Two Decades On, Opportunity Scholarship Act Remains Moving Target'

Thu, 1 Dec 2011 7:59:2 EST

NJ Spotlight - Two Decades On, Opportunity Scholarship Act Remains Moving Target�Advocates and opponents struggle to shape final bill and get it in front of entire legislature...

11-30-11 Education Issues in the News

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 9:22:14 EST

Daily Record -NJ lame-duck Legislature considers eliminating school budget elections,requiring county purchasing programs

NJ Spotlight - Fine Print: Anti-Bullying Incident Report Form�The war against school bullying gets a new ally -- a paper one

NJ Spotlight - Charter Schools Sue State, Claiming They've Been Shortchanged�Latest development only adds to the tensions between charters and the districts that host them

11-28-11 In the News - Model Curriculum for low-performing schools, and Dueling Rallies

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:3:47 EST

NJspotlight - 'Christie Adminisration Considering Model Curriculum' for Low-Performing Schools'...Beyond standards and frameworks, this is the first time the state has moved to devise an actual curriculum...

Associated Press/nj.com - Dueling N.J. rallies planned on taxpayer-funded scholarships for private schools

11-23-11 Courier Post-Washington Bureau - Spending cuts will harm N.J.

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 9:47:2 EST

"New Jersey faces years of lower federal payments under automatic spending cuts that will begin in 2013 unless Congress comes up with an alternative plan..."

11-22-11 Charter School Issues in the News

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 8:39:42 EST

Njspotlight.com - Suburban Schools vs. Charter: First Round Goes to the Suburbs�Princeton charter says it will next appeal decision to acting commissioner ��The issue is not charter vs. public schools, but the rights of a board to make decisions to protect its students, retain its funds, and seek the advice of an attorney," said Judith Wilson, superintendent of the Princeton Regional Schools District�Certainly if districts feel they may be harmed, they may find themselves in a better position to challenge," said Lynne Strickland, director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, whose members include most of the districts involved in the challenges.

The Record - Teaneck virtual charter school will delay opening if funding law stays same � "I believe in the expansion of excellent charter schools, of all different kinds of models that can enhance the educational options that children have, most particularly in failing districts and I believe that should be the emphasis that the Department of Education places on these things as we move forward," Christie said. "I don't necessarily see a crying-out need in successful districts to have more choice, because typically parents don't want to have more choice."

11-21-11 Education Issues in the News

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:9:3 EST

Gannet - State lawmakers go back to work

Politickerknj.com - Judge sides with three school districts in opposition to Princeton area charter school

The Record - Unity, division on school reform

Courier Post - Group takes on N.J. education policy

NJ Spotlight - OSA Continues to Be a Lightning Rod for Controversy�New advocate of school voucher bill -- with Walton Family financing -- joins the fray

Today's Legislative Calendar is attached following the news articles. To see all, Click here on

11-18-11 Education and Related Issues in the News

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 8:58:35 EST

NJ Spotlight - Cerf Issues Reprieve from Statewide Teacher Evaluation Systems�Acting education commissioner pushes back implementation deadlines by at least a year

NY Times - States Strengthening Teacher Evaluation Standards ��To ease growing pains, some states like New Jersey, which asked the Obama administration this week for a waiver from No Child Left Behind, have opted to try evaluation systems in only a limited number of school districts before going statewide. Among the 11 states that asked for waivers this week, much of what was included on teacher and principal evaluations was preliminary but already in the works��

NJ Spotlight - Does Administration's New Accountability System Overstep Legal Bounds?...Christie and Cerf say they can close schools and withhold funds, some legal experts are not so sure

Politickernj.com - Public worker unions say they are still a force �� So is the long-feared and much touted power of the NJEA and its sister and brother public worker unions overrated? Is the political strength of hundreds of thousands of unionized teachers, cops, firefighters and local and state government workers exhausted to the point of toothless tiger status?...�

11-17-11 Education & Related Issues in the News

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 8:48:22 EST

Star Ledger - Christie, Cerf appear in Secaucus to push for education reform bills

NJ Spotlight - Christie's School Accountability Plan To Focus on Urban and Suburban Districts�New rules will target both achievement and achievement gaps

Star Ledger - N.J. Legislature scrambles to pass bills during final six weeks of 2011 session

NJ Spotlight - OPRA Request Reveals Charter Advocates� Role in Application Process�Sen. Gill: Community representatives and traditional school educators conspicuously absent..."Sen. Nia Gill (D-Essex) filed the request under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), and her office yesterday shared the state's response of more than a dozen pages of names and emails...Gill said yesterday the lists in both years was notably absent of traditional public school educators and community representatives..."

11-16-11 Governor Chris Christie Announced Today his Education Reform Agenda via the State's NCLB Waiver Application

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:35:38 EST

Excerpt from Governor's Announcement: "...The agenda, including the development of a new accountability system and a package of specific education reform legislation previously introduced and awaiting action by the state legislature, will identify and seek to turn around New Jersey�s consistently lowest-performing schools, recognize and reward improvement in all New Jersey schools, and provide the necessary tools to meet these goals..."

Star Ledger - Gov. Christie to push legislature to move ahead on four school reform bills "Gov. Chris Christie is expected to pressure the legislature today to take action on four school reform bills backed by his administration that have been stalled in the legislature...First introduced by Christie as proposals last fall, the four bills together are comprehensive and tackle...the way teachers get and keep tenure, expanding access to charter schools, offering vouchers for students in failing public schools to attend private and parochial schools, and privatizing some failing schools in the state�s five lowest performing districts.

Click here on More to see full article, as well as Governor's Press Release that itemizes the four bills he wants to see passed to support his reform agenda.

11-16-11 Tenure, Charters, Vouchers - Lame Duck Session's Big Three

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 7:52:46 EST

NJ Spotlight...The election's over, the legislature's back in session, and education reform is at the top of the docket...

11-14-11 GSCS Executive Director on NY State 'Tax Cap' Panel tonight

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:5:31 EST

The panel will be at the Joint Dinner, which is at the DoubleTree Tarrytown November 14th from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The program is co-sponsored by the Superintendent and School Boards Associations for Rockland, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties, and we anticipate over 200 superintendents and board members. This year�s topic is: Budgeting in the New Normal: A Tale of Two States- Tax Caps Lessons from Massachusetts and New Jersey

11-14-11 More Education News - Virtual Charters, School Reprt Cards, Ravitch Comments

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 9:48:32 EST

The Record - State says not all costs on Teaneck "�They are not required to put aside $15 million," Barra said. "And second of all, since they are not required to put it aside, of course, they can make adjustments as they go along when they find out how many students are applying, etc." GSCS notes: The timing of when districts are notified of �how many students are applying�� is critical to whether a local district will have enough time to actually adjust their budgets so that funding may be used for students in the local traditional district in the forthcoming budget year. The district would have to know that in the fall prior to the next budget year in order to plan appropriately for the coming school year. Clearly, right now this time lapse issue alone is already a big problem for Teaneck.

NJ Spotlight - State Readies New School Report Cards�Details are few, but new system favors rankings and like-to-like comparisons

Star Ledger - Q&A with Diane Ravitch on N.J. school reform

11-14-11 Education in the News - Commissioner Cerf presents at NJEA Convention

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 9:34:30 EST

Press of Atlantic City - Acting state education commissioner addresses teachers at NJEA convention ��Cerf said he is willing to work with the union on teacher evaluations, even postponing implementation for an extra year if necessary. But, he said, there will always be areas where the state and union do not agree. "I represent the interests of the children of New Jersey," Cerf said. "In many areas, the interests of the union and children are aligned. But there are areas where they do not overlap, such as seniority. You may think (seniority) is fair, but you can't argue it's in the best interest of children."

Philadelphia Inquirer - Wide gap still separates Christie, teachers union

NJ Press Media - Cerf takes moderate tone with teachers

11-11-11 In the News- Costly: Virtual Charter Schools, NJEA on Education Reform, Trenton Leadership Analysis

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 8:59:0 EST

Star Ledger -NJEA unveils school reform plan at annual Atlantic City convention

NJ Spotlight - At $15 Million, Virtual Charter Causes a Real Case of Sticker Shock�Teaneck's oversize bill for a proposed charter points out problems and loopholes in current law

The Record - Teaneck school officials urge public to join fight against charter school

NJ Spotlight - Democrats Vow to Fight, But Who�s the Boss?...Sweeney and Oliver discount influence of Norcross and DiVincenzo as power brokers

11-10-11 Education and Related Issues in the News

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 8:16:49 EST

njspotlight.com - Education Department Working Flat Out to Finish Federal Waiver�Critics contend too little time taken to gather public input on No Child Left Behind waiver application

The Record - State rejects teacher contract "...The acting state education commissioner has ruled that the 2010-11 year of the Ramsey teachers' contract broke state law in a decision underscoring that school boards cannot make salary deals that last longer than three years..."

Philadelphia Inquirer - Leadership changes likely for New Jersey Assembly Democrats

11-9-11 In the News - Nov 8th State & Local Elections

Wed, 9 Nov 2011 12:33:40 EST

2011PostElectionAnalysisPrincetonPublicAffairsGroup

The Record - Christie�s pull fails to change balance in State House

Star Ledger - Gov. Christie's efforts to boost GOP's chances in legislative elections fall short

11-9-11 Tenure Reform: More Than Just a Matter of Time

Wed, 9 Nov 2011 12:27:58 EST

Njspotlight.com - Tenure Reform: More Than Just a Matter of Time�For some experts there's no point in adding years with adding mentors as well "...It [tenure] will be a key debate here, as the legislature begins this month to weigh various tenure reform proposals..."

11-8-11 NJEA Releases its Education Reform Proposals Prior to its Convention this Week in Atlantic City

Tue, 8 Nov 2011 8:35:8 EST

Press of Atlantic City - Reform plan tops agenda as teachers prepare for convention in Atlantic City Asbury Park Press - NJEA offers its ideas for school reform: Would streamline firing steps; expand preschool, kindergarten

Asbury Park Press - NJEA offers its ideas for school reform: Would streamline firing steps; expand preschool, kindergarten

Associated Press - Philadelphia Inquirer - NJ's main teachers union presenting its own ideas... AP - Education reform ideas: Christie v. NJEA

11-7-11 What's Waiting for the Winners in Trenton - Education Reform

Mon, 7 Nov 2011 22:30:59 EST

NJ Spotlight - ...'Debates on the big issues -- like charters and tenure -- are just going to get started in the lame duck session...'

RealTimeSurveyPoll - Results from audience survey at GSCS-NJSDC Fall Educ Forum Nov2 at Rutgers

Fri, 4 Nov 2011 9:25:47 EDT

Our thanks to NJ Schools Development Council and Rutgers University for hosting the Fall Education Forum. Speaker David Hespe, Chief of Staff/DOE and panelists Miker Vrancik/NJSBA, Tom Dunn/NJASA, Ginger Gold/NJEA, and Lynne Strickland/GSCS...Click on More here to see results of audience poll(e.g, 100% of the audience responded no to this question: Did NCLB set the appropriate goal that required 'all students to be profecient by 2014').

11-7-11 Northjersey.com- The Record - More districts bringing special ed in house

Mon, 7 Nov 2011 10:26:52 EST

North Jersey school districts are increasingly confronting soaring special-education costs by starting in-house classes that are cheaper alternatives to pricey out-of-district programs.

11-4-11 Education In the News - NCLB Waiver filed by Dept of Educ...DOE Special Education Study released

Fri, 4 Nov 2011 9:0:10 EDT

News from Department of Education - Report released by DOE: Analysis of New Jersey�s Census-Based Special Education Funding System

DOE website: Department of Education solicits comment on draft ESEA waiver outline.Christie Administration Seeks Public Input on NCLB Waiver Centered on Increasing Flexibility and Strengthening Accountability

NJ Spotlight - Fine Print: NCLB Waiver Application -- Draft Outline�A closer look at the Christie administration's waiver for the federal No Child Left Behind Act

Star Ledger - New Jersey looks to waive requirements of 'No Child Left Behind,' proposes new school accountability system...Click on More here to get to links to DOE report and Waiver Application, as well as related news articles

11-3-11 In the News - Pluses and Minuses in Anti-Bullying Law

Fri, 4 Nov 2011 9:7:23 EDT

NJ Spotlight - 'New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Law: Benefit and Burden�Some school districts are voicing concerns about law's intractable timelines' (GSCS Note: GSCS is hearing from its members about the difficulty and confusion, as well as time issues, in implementing this well-intended law...This article notes some of these conflicting problems.)

11-3-11 Education reform on agenda...at GSCS Fall Education Forum Nov 2

Thu, 3 Nov 2011 8:9:29 EDT

Asbury Park Press - Education reform on agenda...Teacher tenure, school vouchers likely to be acted on this fall... �The lobbyists and association leaders, along with a state official, did not offer specific details during a meeting of the Garden State Coalition of Schools at Rutgers University, but instead presented a broad outline of measures being debated behind closed doors...�

November 2, 9-Noon, GSCS & NJ Schools Development Council's 2nd Annual Fall Education Forum at Rutgers' Douglass Campus Center

Tue, 1 Nov 2011 11:52:44 EDT

DIRECTIONS TO FALL EDUCATION FORUM ATTACHED

11-1-11 After 3 Program continues, DOE release on NJ improvement in NAEP scores

Tue, 1 Nov 2011 16:48:45 EDT

Star Ledger - Last-minute partnership saves New Jersey After 3 program from shutdown

NJ Spotlight - Lights to Stay on at Statewide Afterschool Fund�NJ After 3's surprise reprieve by governor on eve of elections has some Democrats questioning timing

New Jersey education system continues to improve overall national ranking on 2011 NAEP exam

10-31-11 Educatio In the News - Merit Pay, State Residency Law

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:21:6 EDT

The Record - Merit pay for schools may make the grade in NJ� New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney says he could support merit pay in classroom so long as schools, not individual teachers, are rewarded.

NJ Spotlight - New Jersey�s Residence-Only Law Worries Some Schools...NJ First Act aims to save jobs for residents but could backfire on teachers

10-28-11 Cerf Assembles Expert Team to Review School Funding

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 9:5:18 EDT

Njspotlight.com - Cerf Assembles Expert Team to Review School Funding�Acting commissioner's dream team includes academics, researchers, and consultants Njspotlight.com - �Acting commissioner's dream team includes academics, researchers, and consultants "Gov. Chris Christie has long said he doesn�t much like how � and how much -- New Jersey funds its public schools, especially its urban districts, and more recently he has said changes would be coming with his next state budget plan in early 2012..."

10-27-11 Education Issues in the News

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 9:35:40 EDT

Press of Atlantic City - NJEA backs four-year tenure track, if mentoring is added for new teachers

Njspotlight.com - Education Department to Set Up Seven 'Regional Achievement Centers'�Satellite offices will concentrate on bottom 5 percent of public schools��One of the great regrets I have is we don�t differentiate between school districts,� he said during his talk. �There are districts where the best thing we could do is leave them alone.� That comment drew the longest applause of his hour-long speech.

10-26-11 Dept of Education announces College and Career Readiness Task Force

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:16:17 EDT

The Task Force)... will have two main responsibilities: clearly articulating the knowledge and skills that students should master to be "college and career ready," and ensuring that New Jersey has the appropriate graduation requirements and high school assessments in place to evaluate the mastery of these readiness standards. The task force will submit its recommendations to the Department of Education by December 31, 2011.

Click here on More for who's on the Task Force as well as details of the Task Force charge.

10-25-11 Education & Reated Issues in the News

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 9:47:18 EDT

Press of Atlantic City - School officials concerned about how to implement new anti-bullying law

NJ Spotlight - Afterschool Fund Falls Victim to Line-Item Veto, Battered Economy�New Jersey After 3, which once funded programs for thousands of kids, to go dark.

Philadelphia Inquirer - Lawmaker: School aid formula works if its funded

New Jersey Newsroom - Over 3K desks available for 2012-13 N.J. public school choice program

The Record - Education chief says no to higher ticket prices

10-24-11 Education Issues in the News

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 9:1:40 EDT

Star Ledger editorial - NJEA, Democrats wrongly balk at new push for schools reform � and�Star Ledger column - Hedge fund manager readies for battle with NJEA to reform NJ schools

The Record - Proposed charter school expects to run surplus�and� The Record � Virtual charter school plan prompts review of laws

Njspotlight.com - New Jersey Schools' Open Door Policy�With the state's Interdistrict School Choice program, Garden State students can become traveling scholars

10-21-11 DOE Chief of Staff, Race to Top Kindergarten tests likely, Bullying program issues

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 9:13:21 EDT

Njspotlight.com - For David Hespe, Return to Trenton Brings New and Old Challenges�As former commissioner, Cerf's new chief of staff knows firsthand the value of patience and perseverance� "Dave is balanced, deliberative, and straightforwardly honest," said Lynne Strickland, head of the Garden State Coalition of Schools who has worked with Hespe off and on for more than a decade."He's an all-around good guy who has the tools to be very effective, while being well-liked by those who work for him," she said. "And that's important at the DOE these days."...

Wall Street Journal - States ready tests for kindergarten�New York and New Jersey are preparing to administer mandatory school-readiness tests to children as young as 4 years old in an effort to win millions of dollars from the federal government.

New Jersey Newsroom -N.J. schools� anti-bullying laws could be costly in long run

10-20-11 Race to the Top & Charters in the News

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 8:33:59 EDT

NJ Spotlight - New Jersey Applies for $60 Million Race to the Top Grant...Funding would go in part to a statewide system for evaluating early childhood education centers

New Jersey Newsroom - Jasey wants close scrutiny of N.J. charter schools

Star Ledger - N.J. considering 42 new charter schools

10-19-11 More Education News

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:30:30 EDT

Department of Education submits its latest Race to the Top application today

Njspotlight.com - Latest Round of Charter Applications Filed with Education Department�In a field 42 charter applicants, some have been considered -- and rejected -- before

10-19-11 (Lots of) Education Issues in the News

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 9:29:23 EDT

Njspotlight.com - Unfunded Mandates on Schools Under Debate�Little-known state council rules on school busing, anti-bullying next

Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial: Successful districts make a point on charters�Charters should be an option. But they shouldn't be allowed to crop up where they aren't needed and will take state funds from good schools. The state also needs to provide better oversight of charters, monitoring their academic performance, management, and financial practices.

Philadelphia Inquirer - N.J. announces applications for 42 more charter schools

The Record - Ahearn: For N.J. schools, new bullying rules test patience

New Jersey Newsroom - NJASA: Fast-track implementation of pilot program does not allow time for adjustments

10-18-11 Education & Related Issues in the News

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 9:45:34 EDT

My Centraljersey.com � Poll�Unhappy with Legislature, many don�t know election coming

Asbury Park Press - Officials: Schools were left behind They highlight money problems to state education chief

Njspotlight.com - Newark Charter and District Schools Share Space and Visions -- But Not Technology...Collaboration and cooperation are the order of the day, but some inequalities remain

Njspotlight.com - School Vouchers: Out of the Spotlight, Not Out of Mind...A slimmed-down bill -- and pilot program -- may resurface in Assembly during the lame duck session

10-17-11 'Cerf Names Penny MacCormack as Chief Academic Officer'

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:57:10 EDT

NJ Spotlight - New assistant commissioner served as assistant superintendent of Hartford secondary schools

10-16-11 Education in the News

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 8:56:44 EDT

The Record-Northhersey.com -

Englewood schools and city officials work to share services �and�

Urban schools offer dynamic learning experiences

Dept of Education requests input re waiver for NCLB requirements

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 8:36:9 EDT

Excerpts from DOE's invitation for input: "...On September 23, the US Department of Education announced that the federal government would invite states to apply for flexibility from the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). States would be granted flexibility in exchange for rigorous and comprehensive state-developed plans designed to improve educational outcomes for all students, close achievement gaps, increase equity, and improve the quality of instruction. Because such changes would have a major impact on our state�s educators and families, we are soliciting input from K-12 stakeholders and the broader public on what elements should be included in New Jersey�s application.

Submissions will be received from October 11 until October 21, 2011. We welcome feedback..."

10-14-11 In the News - Senate Education Committee Charter School hearing yesterday

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 8:29:54 EDT

Njspotlight.com - Charter Anxiety: A Suburban Malady?...As backlash grows in the suburbs, the reaction in the cities is more complicated

Star Ledger - N.J. Senator wants to update state laws to make charter schools more accountable

New Jersey Newsroom - More N.J. charter school oversight pushed by lawmaker

10-13-11 Education Issues in the News

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 7:22:23 EDT

NJ Spotlight - Charters Continue to Stir Up Controversy -- in Senate, Court, and Home Districts�In the suburbs, experimental schools end up in court, as plaintiffs and defendants

The Record - Graduation rates will drop with new plan

Senate Education Committee to hear Charter School Bills Thursday Oct 13th 10 am

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 9:20:19 EDT

Senate Education Thursday, October 13, 2011 - 10:00 AM Meeting - Committee Room 6, 1st Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ - ALL BILLS ARE 'FOR DISCUSSION ONLY'

A3356 Charter sch. prog-modify various aspects

A3852 Charter sch. estab.-voter approval req.

S1594 Charter sch application-specify cert req

S2243 Charter sch. estab.-voter approval req.

S3001 Charter sch. prog-modify various aspects

For additional details, go to the New Jersey Legislature website

10-6-11 Senate Education Committee to meet Oct 13 - Charter schools bills agenda focus

Thu, 6 Oct 2011 7:47:32 EDT

Click on More here for agenda and bill list - note that all bills on the agenda are 'for discussion only'

10-6-11 Charters, Norcross on education, school funding - Politicfact

Thu, 6 Oct 2011 7:45:42 EDT

Nj.com, Star Ledger - N.J. Democratic leader George Norcross calls for more charter schools, change to teacher tenure

Star Ledger - One of four N.J. charter schools awarded federal grant not yet approved to operate

Politifact-Star Legder - The Truth-O-Meter Says: Says Gov. Chris Christie "cut spending (by) $1 billion" and provided "$850 million in new education funding."

Njspotlight.com - Norcross Captures Audience Attention with Education Agenda�One day after Christie promises renewed focus on education, South Jersey power broker weighs in

10-4 and 5- 11 Education & Related Issues in the News

Wed, 5 Oct 2011 9:11:3 EDT

Njspotlight.com - Christie's 'Not My Time' Signals Start of Governor's Race�Governor says he could have won White House, but work in New Jersey isn�t done. Will the Democrats confront or cooperate? "One race ended yesterday, but another began...It guarantees two years of rancorous debate in the legislature, starting in December with Christie's education agenda to end teacher tenure, expand charter schools, and institute a school voucher pilot program..."

Courier Post, Asbury Park Press - Schools turn to peer mediation to battle bullying

Njspotlight.com - State Auditor Says Efficiency May Be Trumping Educational Need at SDA�Critics say report reinforces their claims that authority is leaving students stranded in substandard schools

Agenda: State Board of Education QSAC is still on the docket, but this meeting will also see the announcement of the NJ Teacher of the Year

10-3-11 Administration's New Message to Charter Schools: Quality not Quantity

Mon, 3 Oct 2011 11:59:5 EDT

njspotlight.com - With only four of 60 charter applicants approved, Christie and Cerf signal that the rules are changing for charter schools -- as are the politics...

9-30-11 Just released: Four New Charter School Approvals announced by Department of Education

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:16:20 EDT

DOE Press Release: Christie Administration Expands High Quality Educational Options with Approval of Four Additional New Charter Schools Scheduled to Open in 2012

9-30-11 Latest Round of Charter School Approvals to be announced this afternoon

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:20:20 EDT

Stay tuned...

9-30-11 Education Issues in recent News

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:19:35 EDT

Star Ledger - N.J. ranks 46th nationally for participation in the National School Breakfast Program

Department of Education Announces Members of Statewide Advisory Committee to Guide Teacher Evaluation Pilot Program

GSCS September Notes

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:6:55 EDT

Welcome to Fall 2012. With legislative elections in both houses coming up this November, and with the Governor taking his education reform conversation to school folks directly - last Friday to school board members and today (Monday) to school superintendents - politics and education policy are emerging as front burner items. The Senate has started to convene committee meetings and voting sessions, not the usual routine during election season. There is talk of charter, teacher evaluation, tenure, merit pay, school funding reform, mandate relief -and more legislation- being on the Statehouse agenda prior to the November legislative elections. (In fact, just today the Education Transformation Task Force made it's initial report on mandate relief. To read more scroll below to the news briefs.)

GSCS will continue to press our members' concerns and ideas to Trenton during this time. Our "short list" of advocacy items includes:

� Quality education for all children

� State aid for suburban school districts

� Mandate relief

� Reasonable education reform

� High-stakes testing; testing revisions

� School district / county consolidation proposals

� Changes to the School Funding Reform Act (SFRA)

� Special education funding

� Charter school funding, development and regulation

And we'll be watching for the latest new developments. So please let us hear from you, visit the GSCS website for the latest news . . . and as always, stay tuned. . . .

9-29-11More details on rural school funding suit, Charter schools - who reviews applications and Newark 'transparency' contracts

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 9:58:10 EDT

Press of Atlantic City - 16 poor, rural schools ask court to order state to provide full funding

Star Ledger - N.J. senator challenges state Department of Education to reveal those who voluntarily select new charter schools

Njspotlight.com - Fine Print: Newark Charter Compact�A new 'contract' among charter schools stresses transparency and accessibility

9-28-11 Another school funding suit goes to court...Positives emerging re Facebook funds in Newark

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:19:13 EDT

Njspotlight.com - Underfunded Rural School Districts Seek Redress in Court�Bacon v. DOE hopes to follow up on Abbott v. Burke, this time for rural districts

Star Ledger - $100M grant from Mark Zuckerberg begins to have effect on Newark schools

9-26 and 27-11 Spotlight on NJ Recent Education Issues

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 8:8:42 EDT

9-23-11 Mandate reduction re Professional Development 100 hour rule...Christie comments on NJEA relationship

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 8:59:43 EDT

9-21-11 Anti-Bullying complexities, Facebook funds to Teachers, School Construction hearing

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 9:18:43 EDT

9-20-11 Education Issues in the News

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:31:48 EDT

9-19-11 Education Issues in the News

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:54:51 EDT

9-16-11 Education Issues in the News

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:59:42 EDT

9-15-11 Education Issues in the News

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:51:37 EDT

9-14-11 Education Issues in the News

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 9:53:50 EDT

9-13-11 In the News - Education Transformation Task Force Report

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 9:57:14 EDT

GSCS Organization 2011-2012 - Calendar, Dues, Trustees and Officers

Tue, 2 Aug 2011 11:2:34 EDT

Education Transformation Task Force Initial Report...45 recommendations for starters

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:39:59 EDT

9-9-11 In the News - Charter School Controversy

Fri, 9 Sep 2011 9:21:58 EDT

9-9-11 Commissioner Cerf open letter: Charter School Accountability

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 8:59:27 EDT

9-8-11 Recap: Recent Education Issues in the News

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 12:14:27 EDT

9-12-11 Governor's Press Notice & Fact Sheet re: Education Transformation Task Force Report

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:48:54 EDT

9-12-11 Education Issues in the News

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 11:43:33 EDT

8-24-11 Education Issues in the News

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 9:47:44 EDT

8-17-11 Education Issues in Recent News

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 9:10:19 EDT

8-8-11 Education & Related Issues in the News

Mon, 8 Aug 2011 9:43:53 EDT

8-3-11 Teacher Evaluation Pilot Program, School Funding in the News

Wed, 3 Aug 2011 10:17:51 EDT

8-12-11 Charter Suit and Newark's new Sup't Cami Anderson in the News

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:8:34 EDT

8-10 and 11-11 NJ Spotlight - Education News

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:18:2 EDT

8-2-11 Education & Related Issues In the News

Tue, 2 Aug 2011 10:38:6 EDT

8-1-11 Education Issues in the News - Possible relief in the offing re: the QSAC mandate

Mon, 1 Aug 2011 11:12:25 EDT

7-28-11 Teacher Swapping Quashed, $55M in Federal Funds to go to 9 underperfomring NJ Schools

Tue, 2 Aug 2011 10:50:19 EDT

7-27-11 In the News

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 8:53:38 EDT

7-26-11 Education Issues in the News - Charter policy change may be in the wind

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 8:28:20 EDT

7-21-11 Education Issues in the News

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:33:50 EDT

7-19-11 Most New Charter Schools Not ready to Open in September

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:40:49 EDT

7-18-11 Education Issues in the News

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 8:34:20 EDT

FY'12 State School Aid District-by-District Listing, per Appropriations Act, released 110712

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:18:35 EDT

7-15-11 GSCS Take: Additional State Aid of $150M and State Guidance

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:21:44 EDT

7-15-11 Education Issues in the News

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:5:25 EDT

7-14-11 State GUIDANCE re: Using Additional State Aid as Property Tax Relief in this FY'12 Budget year.PDF

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:28:16 EDT

7-14-11 School Aid Questions Remain, Department of Education being reorganized

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 7:9:23 EDT

7-14-11 DOE Guidance on Local Options for using Additional State School Aid in FY'12 State Budget.PDF

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:14:50 EDT

7-13-11 School Aid 'Returns' increased to equal 2% of the 5% cut from school budgets last year - in the News

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 8:27:21 EDT

7-12-11 State Aid Increases in the News

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:38:29 EDT

7-12-11 GSCS HEADS UP: STATE AID FIGURES BEING RELEASED TO DISTRICTS TODAY

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:10:45 EDT

7-11-11 State Street Wire reports on Senate Override Effort through this afternoon

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:1:2 EDT

Governor's Line Item Veto Document 6-30-11

Wed, 6 Jul 2011 21:26:46 EDT

7-7-11 State Street Wire, 3:50 pm - A caucus unified, Senate Dems announce veto overrides

Thu, 7 Jul 2011 16:26:7 EDT

7-7-11 Education Transformation Task Force Hearings Schedule on Mandate Relief for this Monday and Tuesday

Thu, 7 Jul 2011 13:55:47 EDT

7-6-11 Status of FY'12 School Aid today: How and how much additional aid will come to public school students?

Wed, 6 Jul 2011 9:18:37 EDT

7-5-11 Education and Related Issues in the News

Tue, 5 Jul 2011 9:23:36 EDT

7-11-11 In the News

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 9:28:53 EDT

7-1-11 In the News - Budget for FY'12 is done - as expected,Governor 'line item vetos' approx. $900M

Fri, 1 Jul 2011 10:23:0 EDT

2010-11 Homepage Announcements, News, Reports and more

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:39:18 EDT