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NJ Spotlight--Local Control of Camden Schools Not on a Fast Track
Mayor, superintendent say schools have improved since state took over the district but obstacles to autonomy remain
Just days after the Christie administration moved to end state control of Newark public schools, the purpose — if not the mood — was altogether different in Camden on Friday.
Gov. Chris Christie returned to the Camden schools for a rousing speech that appeared aimed at cementing his place in a district that he arguably transformed more than any in his eight years in office.
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/09/17/local-control-of-camden-schools-not-on-a-fast-track/
John Mooney | September 18, 2017
Star Ledger--Why does N.J.'s top teachers union hate Senate President Steve Sweeney so much?
TRENTON -- For the last eight years, one of the biggest -- and bloodiest -- rivalries in Garden State politics has pitted Republican Gov. Chris Christie against the New Jersey Education Association.
But this year, as Christie heads out the door, the state's largest teachers union is waging a dramatic battle against a different foe: Democratic state Senate President Stephen Sweeney.
The NJEA -- which has spent years backing and raising money to support mostly Democratic candidates -- has endorsed Sweeney's Republican competitor, Fran Grenier, in November's election.
Brent Johnson| Updated on September 16, 2017 at 11:14 AM Posted on September 16, 2017 at 7:30 AM
Star Ledger--Newark's back in control of its schools. Will it put kids first? | Editorial
Everyone is happy to see Newark finally regain control of its schools, more than 20 years after the state took over. It's a win for democracy and a recognition that kids in this city are making real progress.
The district has a much higher graduation rate, and better test scores. It is keeping more of its best teachers, thanks partly to an innovative contract that allows the district to reward them.
Star-Ledger Editorial Board| Updated on September 16, 2017 at 6:31 AM Posted on September 16, 2017 at 6:30 AM
Education Week--Betsy DeVos Waiting for 'Right Time,' Circumstances for a Choice Initiative
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who has spent decades advocating for private school vouchers and charter schools, came to Washington with one item at the top of her agenda: to push for a new federal school choice initiative.
Her vision is running into trouble on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers in both chambers have failed to fund either of the school choice proposals in the president's budget. And it's looking less and less likely that the White House will push to include a federal tax credit scholarship program in a sweeping tax overhaul package that's slated to be unveiled soon.
So where does that leave the secretary? She is not giving up, she said in a wide-ranging interview with Education Week last week. And she wants to make sure the administration pursues the best possible school choice policy.
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2017/09/betsy_devos_school_choice_essa_interview.html
Alyson Klein on September 17, 2017 7:47 PM
