Our Children/Our Schools
A newsletter about New Jersey school funding and reform
  February 2009 - Issue 18
In This Issue
Resources

The Garden State has been a national leader in school funding equity. But the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 may change that. The new aid formula underfunds many New Jersey schools and programs and removes the historic Abbott "special needs" designation for poor, urban schools. In addition, the new formula does little to change New Jersey's over-reliance on local property taxes to fund education. Our Children/Our Schools seeks to inform the public debate on these important issues and advocate for high quality education for all New Jersey children.
 

Registration is open for "All Children, All Schools: Best Practices in Challenging Times," a statewide education summit sponsored by OC/OS on Saturday, March 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Lord Stirling Community School in New Brunswick, with keynote speaker Dr. John Jackson, President of the Schott Foundation for Public Education.
 
On February 9, the Abbott v. Burke remand trial ordered by the NJ Supreme Court got underway at the Bergen County Justice Center in Hackensack. To share information about the trial and encourage public education advocates to attend court hearings, OC/OS has created an Abbott Remand Trial Blog. Reader comments are most welcome!
Following recent Assembly Education Committee hearings on NJDOE's secondary reform proposals, legislation has been introduced that would require the DOE to report on the impact, costs and progress of the "Phase I" graduation mandates imposed this year before proceeding with Phases II & III.
 
On January 21, several dozen members of the NJ Education Organizing Collaborative (NJEOC) presented testimony to the State Board of Education about the proposed secondary transformation plan, expressing strong support for high school reform, but only with parent, teacher and student input, among other important considerations.
Students from Paterson, Newark and Jersey City brought their questions, their experience, and most of all their energy to an all-day Urban Youth Research Retreat held at St. Peter's College on January 31. The retreat was part of a youth engagement project designed in response to proposals from the NJDOE to significantly increase academic requirements for a NJ high school diploma.
Much at Stake in Hearing on School Funding
Reforming High Schools a Slow Process
Algebra II Losing Favor as School Requirement
Funding Pre-K and Fighting Crime
Protecting School Kids With a Drop of Paint
Millville BOE Budget Shortfall May Cost 40 Jobs
Court: East Orange Can't Force State to Proceed With Stalled Construction Project
Abbott Leadership Institute Classes: Series 15: "The Many Faces of School Reform." "Is Abbott Enough," February 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ackerson Hall, Dean's Lounge, 180 University Ave., Rutgers University Newark; March 7 - ALI participants will attend   OC/OS Education Summit; "What Do Good Schools Offer," March 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ackerson Hall, Dean's Lounge, 180 University Ave., Rutgers University Newark. For more information, call 973-353-3560 or visit www.abbottleadership.org.
All Children, All Schools: Best Practices in Challenging Times. NJ Statewide Education Summit sponsored by OC/OS, Saturday, March 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lord Stirling Community School, 101 Redmond St. New Brunswick. For more information, contact info@ourchildrenourschools.org.
Statewide Parent Leadership Summit 2009: Empowering Parents for Effective Leadership, sponsored by the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, Saturday, March 21, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Jamesburg. For more information, contact SPANNJ at 800-654-7726 or visit www.spannj.org.
New Directions for New Jersey: Progressive Policies to Address the Economic Crisis, sponsored by the New Jersey Education Association and the Better Choices Budget Campaign, Saturday, April 18, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., East Brunswick Hilton. Keynote speaker: Robert Kuttner, co-editor of American Prospect magazine. No admission fee. To register, email info@betterchoicesfornj.org.
Our Children/Our Schools General Meetings, Thursday, February 19, 10 a.m. to Noon, via conference call, and Thursday, March 19, 10 a.m. to Noon, at Education Law Center in Newark. For more info, contact info@ourchildrenourschools.org.
Send announcements of upcoming events for the Our Children/Our Schools Calendar to info@ourchildrenourschools.org.

"At its core, a constitutionally adequate education is one that will prepare public school children for a meaningful role in society, enable them to compete effectively in the economy and contribute and participate as citizens and members of their communities."

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