1-13-09 Excerpt re: public education from Governor Corzine’s State of the State Message today:

“…Our schools, from pre-K through college, rank among the very best in the nation…This month, Education Week rated us as one of the top five systems for overall performance in the nation and number two in providing a chance for our graduates to succeed in life.Test scores across the state reinforce their conclusion. Results count. We already lead the country in graduation rates and in access to quality pre-school.

While there are clear exceptions, New Jersey schools give most of our children an exceptional opportunity to build a bright future.

The new school funding formula for which we now are seeking court approval will only strengthen our commitment to success. That formula recognizes that 50 percent of disadvantaged students live beyond the borders of Abbott districts. The formula fulfills the state's obligation to provide a thorough and efficient education to all children, wherever they live.

In fact, even though we cut the overall state budget by $1.4 billion, we've held firm in increasing total spending on education by nearly $500 million. Beyond our financial commitment, we're also working to upgrade standards, curricula, and graduation requirements in all of our schools.

We've been collaborating with Colin and Alma Powell's effort to substantially lower dropout rates. Again, obviously, results matter, but outcomes are best measured in more than just statistics.

We educate our young people one student at a time. We are joined today by one of New Jersey's bright hopes for the future.

Kamaris Loor came to New Jersey from Ecuador in 1995 and is on track to graduate this spring from Union City High School with a 4.2 grade point average -- I didn't even know you could get a 4.2 GPA.

Kamaris is a county champion in the 100 meter butterfly -- she did cancer research at the Susan Lehman Cancer Research Center -- and next year, Kamaris will attend Brown University to begin a joint undergraduate and medical degree program.

She is clearly on a track of success. But ... behind every student's success is an exceptional teacher.

Nadia Makar is the science chairperson at Kamaris' high school, where she has been a career educator for 35 years. Nadia is a prime example of the excellence you'll find among teachers in New Jersey's classrooms.

Kamaris isn't alone. In fourth, eighth, and eleventh grades -- and in both language arts and math -- test score improvements in Union City are beating the state average. I'd like to ask Kamaris and Nadia to stand and be recognized -- not only for what they've achieved, but in recognition of all the great schools across New Jersey.

Beyond pre-K through 12,I need not tell you about the excellence of our county and state colleges and public universities.

They continue to provide an affordable path for our young people from all walks of life to access the American promise.

To that end, even in difficult times like the last three years, we've expanded financial aid for New Jersey's low- and moderate-income college students..”.