Reject Destructive Changes to New Jersey's Charter School Regulations
TAKE 2 SECONDS TO PROTECT NJ PUBLIC SCHOOLS
TO STOP VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOLS & OTHER DESTRUCTIVE CHANGES TO CHARTER REGULATIONS
TO STOP VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOLS & OTHER DESTRUCTIVE CHANGES TO CHARTER REGULATIONS
We need as many signatures as possible before Wednesday'sState Board of Education meeting to let them know that we want local, democratic control of our public schools.
Each signature generates letters to State Board of Education members and New Jersey Legislators, reminding them that New Jersey residents do not support these proposals.
The more signatures on the petition, the more policy makers pay attention.
The signatures to date have helped build significant Legislative support for taking action, as described below.
Virtual Charter Schools and Other Destructive Charter Law Changes
New Jersey’s Acting Commissioner of Education Chris Cerf proposedto use the regulatory process to open the door to virtual charter schools, which are not allowed under New Jersey’s charter school law. Virtual charter schools in other states have dramatically underperformed brick-and-mortar schools, while making tremendous profits for the companies and individuals that run them.
The Commissioner’s proposed regulations also would give him virtually unlimited ability to open, close, expand or change the mission and management of charter schools, with no concern for community wishes.
Giving the Commissioner this much power would significantly undermine local democratic control of public education and would be devastating for traditional public schools and charter schools alike.
Save Our Schools NJ brought more than two dozen New Jersey residents to testify against the regulations in front of The State Board of Education, which is being asked to approve the new regulations.
We also launched this petition to oppose the changes, which has generated more than 4,250 signatures so far, letting the State Board of Education members and the Legislature know that the residents of New Jersey opposed these changes.
In response, the New Jersey Assembly passed a bill placing a moratorium on virtual charter schools. Similar legislation will be considered by the New Jersey Senate this fall.
Additional legislation (SCR 122) also has been introduced and will be considered this fall, which would override the Acting Commissioner's proposed changes to New Jersey charter school regulations.
The State Board of Education is meeting on Wednesday, July 11th and is expected to vote on these proposed regulations.
Please sign the petition and let them know you want local, democratic control of your public schools..
