Jersey Jazzman Jammin' All Week
Evidence Shows NJ's Urban Hope Act Unlikely To Work
The Urban Hope Act, which will greatly expand charter school enrollment in Camden, overwhelmingly passed the Senate this week following Governor Chris Christie's conditional veto. The bill now heads to the Assembly; if it passes, the Mastery and Uncommon charter chains will be allowed to use existing CCPS facilities and revenues to grow their presence in Camden, inevitably leading to the closure o
How To Counter Silly Arguments About the NJEA Convention: A Teacher's Guide
We're fast approaching early November, which means the New Jersey Education Association's annual convention will be here soon. And that means the foolish arguments against the convention will also be upon us.Chris Christie once said that if teachers "cared about learning," they "would not be down there in Atlantic City having a party — because that’s what it is." Of course, his
SEP 23
Everything Wrong With Education "Reform" Is In York, PA
When I was on Rick Smith's show the other day, kvetching about Chris Christie's education "policies" (it's the whole reason Rick has me on the show), he brought up a really good point:As bad as Governor Chris Christie has been for New Jersey's schools, Governor Tom Corbett has been far, far worse for Pennsylvania's.Under Corbett, "cyber charters" have proliferated, even though
SEP 21
The Hidden Voices of New Jersey's Teachers of Color
I was going to write about the meeting I and other New Jersey teacher-bloggers had with Lily Eskelsen Garcia, the new president of the National Education Association, last weekend. But Marie Corfield -- see here and here -- and Ani McHugh have done such a good job documenting the event that I really don't think I can add much of value.Instead, let me address something about this meeting that's com
SEP 20
Once Again, @GovChristie Just Makes Stuff Up
America, as you come to know our governor, please remember this one, immutable rule about Chris Christie:It's never his fault.It was Gov. Chris Christie who unilaterally instituted New Jersey’s salary limits on school superintendents, and it will likely be governor who either ends or extends them when the caps expire in 2016.Christie yesterday wasn’t much showing his hand, first deriding educators
Why Won't @NJSenatePres Sweeney Allow a Transparent Debate About Charter Schools?
From our friends at Save Our Schools New Jersey:Senate President Stephen Sweeney is poised to pass S2264, legislation that amends the 2013 Urban Hope Act in order to accommodate illegally approved renaissance charter schools in Camden. Senator Sweeney is bringing this legislation to a full Senate vote on Monday, September 22, without first introducing it in committee. This legislation was already
NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia has no time to be patient – Part III
'Absurd' 'Idiotic' 'Toxic' 'Voodoo' 'Abusive' These are all words NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia used to describe education 'reform'—particularly standardized testing—in her recent 90-minute meeting with NJ ed bloggers, and quite frankly, they were music to my ears. I've been waiting for the NEA leadership to draw a hard line in the sand. Part I of this series focused on the devastating effect
SEP 20
NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia has no time to be diplomatic – Part II
Part I of this series on the round table discussion between NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia and NJ education bloggers and activists focused on the devastating effects of high-stakes testing on special needs children, and how edu-preneurs are profiting from the testing boom. Part II focuses on the mainstream media blackout.As with Part I, unless otherwise indicated, all quotes are Lily's.When yo
SEP 19
NEA President Lily Eskilsen Garcia has no time to be diplomatic – Part I
"This is a test. This is only a test. If this had been an actual emergency..." Yea, you know the drill. More on this later...This is Ethan Rediske and his parents. Ethan is an 11-year old Florida boy who was born with cerebral palsy. He is also blind and brain damaged. He is perhaps the poster child for all that is toxic and outright dangerous in education 'reform'—especially standardiz
Do the people of Newark matter?
What the residents of Newark and other cities understandably do not wish to accept is a harsh, basic fact of political life in New Jersey: They do not matter. While Cami Anderson, the much-hated, state-appointed superintendent of city schools, insists her plans to close neighborhood schools and open new charters are supported by all but […]
GUEST BLOG: Christie’s ruthless ambition–a report from a victim
By Louis Manzo Governor Chris Christie gave the appearance of a cat who swallowed a canary as he chastised and taunted members of the legislative committee investigating him last Thursday [September 18, 2014]. “They’ve been irresponsible,” Christie charged. “These are people who are addicted to MSNBC and the front pages of your newspapers,” he further declared […]
SEP 23
Newark school board votes to block Cami’s salary–but will it work?
Newark student leader Kristin Towkaniuk, whose arm was broken in an anti-Anderson protest, testified at last night’s board meeting. The Newark school board Tuesday night voted unanimously to freeze the salary of state-imposed superintendent Cami Anderson. It also passed a resolution making it more difficult for her to boycott board meetings. Finally, in what […]
SEP 20
BETRAYAL, Part 2
There was hope in the spring. In March and April when the anti-privatization forces took to the streets, even in Trenton, and Wendell Steinhauer, the president of the 200,000-member New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) declared Newark’s fight was the fight of everyone who wanted to save public education. Remember that? Steinhauer even came to Newark […]