Quality Public Education for All New Jersey Students

 

3-17-17 Education in the News

NJ Spotlight--Making a Priority of Getting Lead Out of Drinking Water in Schools

Lawmakers, advocates argue that mandatory testing of pipes in schools is a critical first step to tackling the problem

With more schools finding lead contamination in drinking water, legislators and advocates are calling for more aggressive steps to identify problems and fix them when unsafe levels are found.

In a press conference in the State House annex, advocates argued that the state should adopt legislation that establishes a law requiring the mandatory testing of schools and eventually find a way to fund the replacement of lead pipes when high levels of lead are identified.

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/03/16/making-a-priority-of-getting-lead-out-of-drinking-water-in-schools/

Tom Johnson | March 17, 2017

 

NJ Spotlight--Assembly Hopes Senate Will Go Along with PARCC Rollback

Lower chamber wants to eliminate PARCC as graduation requirement for NJ’s public high schools

As it has before, the state Assembly yesterday moved to limit the reach and impact of PARCC testing in New Jersey’s public schools.

And as it has before, the issue now goes to the state Senate to see whether it will stick. So far, that hasn’t much happened.

Assembly leaders are hoping this time will be different.

In a 67-3 vote, the Assembly yesterday approved a joint resolution that would stop the state from requiring students to pass the PARCC tests for Algebra I and for 10th grade language arts to graduate. The requirement is in effect for the Class of 2021.

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/03/16/assembly-hopes-senate-will-go-along-with-parcc-rollback/

John Mooney | March 17, 2017

 

Star Ledger--7 ways Trump's spending plan would affect education in N.J.

Back when he was running for president, Donald Trump said he might "cut the Department of Education" entirely if he was elected president. 

In his first budget proposal, the newly elected president is keeping the federal Department of Education. But several K-12 and higher education programs are targeted for deep cuts or elimination. 

Other initiatives – most notably school vouchers – are slated for new funding as the Trump administration makes the issue a priority.  

http://www.nj.com/education/2017/03/7_ways_trumps_spending_plan_would_affect_education_in_nj.html#incart_river_index

 Kelly Heyboer and Adam Clark | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com| Updated March 16, 2017  

 

Education Week--Trump Budget Would Make Massive Cuts to Ed. Dept., But Boost School Choice

President Donald Trump's first budget seeks to slash the Education Department's roughly $68 billion budget by $9 billion, or 13 percent in the coming fiscal year, whacking popular programs that help districts offer after-school programs, and hire and train teachers.

At the same time, it seeks a historic $1.4 billion federal investment in school choice, including new money for private school vouchers and charter schools, as well as directing $1 billion to follow students to the school of their choice. 

But the proposal would completely scrap two big programs Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants, or Title II, which is currently funded at $2.25 billion and helps states and districts hire and provide professional development for teachers. The budget proposal would also get rid of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, which is funded at more than $1 billion currently and finances after-school and extended-learning programs. Trump's budget says both programs are spread too thin to be effective.  

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2017/03/trump_budget_massive_cuts_education_boosts_school_choice.html?_ga=1.136992692.503518935.1451996967

By Alyson Klein and Andrew Ujifusa| March 16, 2017