On September 17, the New Jersey Education Collaborative (NJEOC) held a School Funding "Teach-In," the first of many planned activities for parents, community members and allies from the State’s largest Abbott school Districts--Newark, Jersey City, and Paterson. Over a hundred people gathered at Essex County College for a presentation developed by Lesley Hirsch from the Education Law Center (ELC) with the Abbott Leadership Institute (ALI) and the Paterson Education Fund (PEF).

The presentation provided participants with information about how school funding is structured across the State and in Abbott Districts. It identified flaws in the current system that leave many districts scrambling to raise the funds needed to effectively run their schools, and it outlined the current landscape as the State considers a new school funding formula.

During the presentation, an Abbott Supplemental Programs Checklist was introduced to the parents and community residents who were gathered. The checklist is one tool that community members can use to learn more about what school funding is purchasing in their schools. The checklist mainly focuses on the presence of programs and services mandated under Abbott V.

During breakout sessions, participants raised questions about the impact a new funding formula might have on their schools and districts. They cited many examples of how budget freezes and cuts have affected their communities, for example the cancellation of summer school and other vital programs. Parent leaders and NJEOC partners talked about the Supplemental Programs Checklist in greater detail, discussing how it might be received by principals and teachers at different schools. Participants closed the evening energized and committed to attending additional training conducted by the ALI on how to use the Checklist and engage school staff. As NJEOC systematically organizes and builds a network of leaders in Newark, Jersey City, and Paterson more voices from these communities will emerge who are engaged in school reform and public education policy change.

The next joint event will bring participants back together to discuss the results of the Checklist in their districts. We anticipate that each of the communities will return with some surprising—and not so surprising—evidence of what does or does not exist in their schools and districts. The hope is that what NJEOC members find will galvanize widespread community concern and attract more community members and interested allies to our work.

NJEOC, supported by local funders, is a collaboration between Paterson ACORN, One Newark Education Coalition, Jersey City Education Organizing Committee, the Abbott Leadership Institute, Education Law Center, and the Paterson Education Fund. For more information about the Checklist or NJEOC in general, please contact Lauren Wells at 973.881.8914 or laurenwells@paterson-education.org.

Prepared: October 1, 2007