Our Children/Our Schools
A newsletter about New Jersey school funding and reform
  April 2009 - Issue 19
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.

 
On April 28, the NJ Supreme Court will hear oral argument in the Abbott SFRA Case. This is expected to be the final legal proceeding in the case that will determine the future of the landmark Abbott designation and remedies. At 9:15 a.m. that morning, representatives from several OC/OS member organizations will rally outside the Supreme Court in support of Abbott and against the SFRA.
 
With over 200 participants, 12 workshops, an informative opening panel and an electrifying keynote speaker, the first OC/OS Education Summit - "All Children, All Schools: Best Practices in Challenging Times" - was a rousing success. OC/OS member organizations were instrumental in ensuring the smooth running of the event.
 
 
Amidst continuing public debate, the State Board of Education is moving towards adoption of the NJDOE's High School Redesign proposals. The proposals would mandate six specific college prep courses for all students and authorize development of new "competency assessments," or end-of-course exams, to earn a diploma.
 
On March 26 at the Statehouse in Trenton, the Assembly Budget Committee held a public hearing on education and the FY 2010 state budget. A number of OC/OS members and friends testified about education issues ranging from the SFRA to secondary reform and preschool.
 
At the April 15 State Board of Education meeting, Assistant Commissioner Jay Doolan described plans to replace the Special Review Assessment (SRA) with a revised "Alternate High School Assessment" (AHSA) beginning next year. The Department's plans include moving the scoring of SRA student portfolios away from local schools to vendor-operated regional scoring centers.
Fifty participants, including secondary school students, parents, school law enforcement officers, and certified school staff, attended a focus group event hosted by Education Law Center-Camden Initiative in collaboration with the Camden Education Association and the New Jersey Education Association. The goal was to better understand stakeholders' experiences and concerns regarding school violence in Camden Public Schools.
Abbott Ruling: A Return to the Bad Old Days
New Brunswick Panel Aims to Better Education
"We would not have this if it wasn't for Abbott"
Phillipsburg School Budget Would Trim 43 Staffers
Newark Schools, Rutgers Unveil Research Collaboration
Stimulus Offers Support for School Construction
Community Gang Awareness Forum, Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Conference Center, 601 Cooper St., Camden County College. Participants must be 21 or older; registration required. Contact 856-541-9300 or lhill@edlawcenter.org.
Abbott Leadership Institute Classes - Series 15: "The Many Faces of School Reform." "Do You Want to be a Teacher? ALI Presents 'Grow Your Own Teachers - Newark,'" Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Room 100, Conklin Hall, 175 University Ave., Rutgers University Newark. For more information, call 973-353-3560 or visit www.abbottleadership.org.
10th Annual Briefing on the FY 2010 State Budget, sponsored by the Association for Children of New Jersey, Friday, May 1, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Crowne Plaza Hotel, 390 Forsgate Drive, Jamesburg. Overview of the state budget and information about early education, child welfare, etc., with Jon Shure from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Limited to first 100 registrants. For more information, contact Sheldon Presser at spresser@acnj.org.
Abbott Leadership Institute Series 14 & 15 Graduation, Saturday, May 2, Ackerson Hall, 180 University Ave., Rutgers University Newark. For more information, visit www.abbottleadership.org or call 973-353-3560 .
New Jersey High School Graduation Campaign Regional Forums. Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex, and Warren Region, Wednesday, May 20, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., County College of Morris, Randolph; Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Ocean Region, Friday, May 29, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Rutgers University, Camden Campus. Forums are free, and lunch will be served. Registration is required; visit www.njgraduation.org.
Our Children/Our Schools General Meetings, Thursday, May 21, 10 a.m. to noon, at Education Law Center in Newark; Thursday, June 18, 10 a.m. to noon, via conference call. For more information, 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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