About

OUR MISSION

Our Children/Our Schools (OC/OS) was founded over a decade ago as an education advocacy network made up of education, children’s rights and civil rights advocates and organizations throughout New Jersey. OC/OS has worked hard to convince NJ policymakers, the press and the public about the importance of full and fair school funding; high quality programs, including preschool; teacher, parent and community input in schools; adequate school facilities; and other policies crucial to student success.

OC/OS has spearheaded or helped organize a number of campaigns in public education. The network has pressed for full formula funding since the 2008 passage of a unified school funding formula, known as the School Funding Reform Act or SFRA.

OC/OS also supports:

- - - legislation to bring equity, accountability and other long overdue reform to NJ’s charter school program
    - high quality preschool for all at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds
    - a private school voucher-free New Jersey
    - multiple pathways to high school graduation
    - equitable assessment policies that reduce reliance on high stakes standardized testing
    - adequate funding for the state's facilities construction program under the auspices of the Schools Development Authority
    - sufficient resources for special education

OC/OS works to keep organizations informed about legislative and regulatory initiatives, education litigation, data and research, and other important information impacting public education in NJ.