Adding Alternative Routes to the Top for School Principals and AdministratorsGov. Christie wants to build on NJ EXCEL to bring more strong leadership to public schools
Last night, 48 teachers and supervisors from across the state held a special kind of graduation in Monroe Township, having earned over the last year their certifications to be among the next generation of New Jersey’s school leaders.
They were the latest class to go through the NJ EXCEL, a seven-year-old program run by the state’s principals and supervisors association. Among its goals: help new principals and other top administrators to enter their jobs without the traditional graduate-level studies.
It is also a program that Gov. Chris Christie wants to expand and replicate further, as part of his reform package for improving New Jersey public schools.
Two weeks ago in presenting his education plan, Christie spoke broadly about the need to bring fresh blood into school principal jobs.
“We all know you need strong leadership,” he said. “You need strong, well-trained, well-formed principals to provide the leadership necessary to provide for a well-