Tom Moran says the Star Ledger “blew this one” when it endorsed Christie for governor.
Trenton Mayor Tony Mack, a symptom if not one source of the city’s troubles, was found guilty of six counts of corruption. As of yet, he has refused to submit his resignation so the state Attorney General’s Office will file an application for forfeiture in Superior Court tomorrow. (Trenton Times)
NJ Spotlight: “A seven-year-old federal lawsuit challenging the state Department of Education’s oversight of special education in New Jersey is close to settlement…New Jersey has been notorious for the high percentage of special-ed students taught in separate settings, especially in out-of-district schools…'As a result of Defendants’ failures, countless children with disabilities have been denied an appropriate education,' read the initial 40-page complaint. 'Children with disabilities are unnecessarily segregated and denied their right to be educated with children who do not have disabilities, to the maximum extent appropriate.' ”
In the face of dissension, Newark Superintendent Cami Anderson is revising her One Newark plan. See NJ Spotlight; the analysis links to a the plan itself.
The Star Ledger Editorial Board says that Anderson deserves “support, not vilification” because “if she is knocked down, it will be the children of this city who bear the real loss.”
John Mooney explains Student Growth Percentiles. Here’s
a related article about the NJ DOE's first run at data that measures
how a student performs on state tests from one year to the next compared
to similar students. Also, see the Record and the Star Ledger.
The Record: “ [M]any teachers in tested subjects have been anxious to see their scores, which will make up 30 percent of their overall evaluations next year. The New Jersey Education Association has repeatedly protested that the ratings should not be used unless they are proved to be valid reflections of performance.”
Princeton Packet: “ Former Princeton Superintendent of Schools Judith A. Wilson [who is retiring due to the superintendent salary cap] will receive nearly $50,000 in accumulated sick and vacation days that she had prior to retiring from the district at the end of December.”
The Press of Atlantic City looks at new data on the impact of chronic absenteeism.
How much snow does it take to close school? The Star Ledger: “ In New Jersey, it takes at least 3 inches of snow to close down schools. For the Upper Midwest and Northeast, 2 feet of snow are required for a closure. But for most of the southern United States, all it takes is "any snow" to shut schools down.” Map attached.
Four NJ districts, Atlantic City, Wildwood, Camden and Newark, serve dinner to children who stay for extended school days. (Press of Atlantic City)
The Philadelphia Inquirer ponders whether free preschool is a “new educational entitlement program.”
Wall St. Journal: “New York state lawmakers on Tuesday pulled their support from a key part of new teacher evaluations, saying schools should get more time [two years] to implement tough new academic standards before teachers are held accountable for students' results.”