Quality Public Education for All New Jersey Students

 

10-5-17 Education in the News

NJ Spotlight--NJ Public Pension Fund Returns Over 13 Percent, Outpacing Expectations

State expects to put $2.5 billion into pension system in 2018 fiscal year, still far short of what’s needed to restore it to good health

New Jersey’s public-employee pension-fund investments generated returns of more than 13 percent during the state’s last fiscal year, far outpacing the assumed rate of return for what is one of the nation’s worst-funded state retirement systems.

Adding to the good news for retired public workers from yesterday’s New Jersey State Investment Council meeting was word that the state was also able to make an initial $377 million pension contribution before the end of September, meaning it passed the first big test of a new law that calls for state pension payments to be made on a quarterly basis.

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/10/04/nj-public-pension-fund-returns-more-than-13-percent-outpacing-expectations/

John Reitmeyer | October 5, 2017

 

Star Ledger--This sign language teacher is N.J.'s Teacher of The Year

TRENTON -- New Jersey's 2017 Teacher of the Year is an American Sign Language teacher who has inspired hearing children to fall in love with sign language.

Amy Andersen, a teacher at Ocean City High School, was honored with the award at Wednesday's state Board of Education meeting. She was selected from 21 county winners and will receive a six-month paid sabbatical to serve as a liaison between the teaching community and the state Department of Education. 

"Amy's passion for her students and the deaf community is a great example for us all to follow," said Frank Butterick, president of the Ocean City Education Association.    

http://www.nj.com/education/2017/10/nj_teacher_of_the_year_2017_amy_andersen.html#incart_river_index

Adam Clark| Posted on October 4, 2017 at 12:46 PM

 

Associated Press--Former South Carolina schools chief could be nation’s No. 2

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s former schools chief said Wednesday he’s eager to help expand parental options if confirmed as the nation’s No. 2 education official.

President Donald Trump this week announced his choice of Mick Zais as deputy secretary of education. The U.S. Senate must confirm the nomination.

Zais said his goals align with those of his would-be boss, U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who spent more than two decades promoting charter schools in her home state of Michigan.

Zais told The Associated Press he’s excited about furthering “her agenda of providing more options for poor kids stuck in failing schools.” He dismissed DeVos’ critics as simply those opposed to school choice, particularly the use of tax credits or scholarships to offset private tuition costs — an idea he has long supported.

https://www.apnews.com/28b3726053f6463c928ed4520304099e/Former-South-Carolina-schools-chief-could-be-nation's-No.-2

SEANNA ADCOX| October 5, 2017

Education Week--A Guide to State ESSA Plans: Goals, Teacher Quality, and More

After more than a year of preparation, the Every Student Succeeds Act is on the verge of hitting classrooms nationwide. And nearly all states have now laid out their blueprints for how they intend to hold schools and districts accountable for requirements of the new federal K-12 law.

ESSA is sparking significant shifts in state autonomy after more than a decade of a heavier federal footprint under the law’s predecessor, the No Child Left Behind Act. But getting there hasn’t been a smooth or simple process, as states hammered out detailed plans for ESSA implementation and submitted them to the U.S. Department of Education.

http://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/a-guide-to-state-essa-plans-goals-teacher-quality.html

Alyson Klein, Stephen Sawchuk, & Andrew Ujifusa| October 2, 2017