TRENTON — Democratic lawmakers said Monday that New Jersey's missing out on a $14 million federal grant shows that education isn't a priority for Governor Christie's administration.
Federal grants to help launch new charter schools were announced in August, but it went virtually unnoticed in New Jersey when the state was not among the recipients.
When the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Monday about implications of not getting the money, it got the attention of lawmakers. The grant would have given each new charter school in the state $150,000.
Comments from the federal reviewers indicate the state didn't have an adequate plan for measuring the success of charters, among some other flaws.
Of 17 grant applications considered, New Jersey's and four others were denied.
"This is stunning, but also sadly another indication of the lackadaisical approach this administration has toward educating children," Assembly Speaker Sheila
