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In the news...Click on More below
'Education leaders focus on dropouts' Thursday, October 16, 2008 STAR LEDGER

'Both candidates want to keep Uncle Sam in the classroom Sunday, October 12 2008 STAR LEDGER

'I say we cannot stand idly by' Corzine spells out financial relief for wide swath of N.J. Friday, October 17, 2008 STAR LEDGER
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10-14-08 Preschool Expansion hearing held in Jersey City
The Joint Committee on Public Schools, Abbott Subcommittee, held a hearing on the preschool initiative at the Glen Cunningham Early Childhood Center in Jersey City. Following presentations by Department of Education staff, the NIEER Institute (Rutgers/National Institute on Early Education), and the Department of Human Services, testimony was offered by stakeholders. Several testimonies echo GSCS' concerns such as attendant costs attached to transportation, special education student needs, facilities, oversight issues, lack of full day Kindergarten in approximately 30% of NJ's regular operating districts and more. The Joint Committee will be scheduling another hearing on this topic in the near future.

10-9-08 Preschool Expansion - Legislative Discussion
GSCS President Jim O'Neill (Chatham) and Executive Director Lynne Strickland met with Assemblyman Joe Cryan to communicate concerns and emerging process issues regarding the preschool expansion initiative.

10-08-08 Legislative discussion
GSCS, the County Vo-Technical Association, and a representative of Secondary Education Reform office from Ed Law Center, met w/the Assembly Education Committee Chair Joe Cryan to discuss concerns regarding the High School Redesign initiative.

10-8-08 GSCS spotlights preschool expansion implementation issues as a priority
GSCS is currently talking with advocates for preschool expansion, as well as the Department of Education, legislators, and the Governor's office about emerging implementation issues arising under the preschool initiative. An Op-Ed piece by Patrick Martin, Ringwood superintendent of schools, in the 10-8-08 Bergen Record well-underscores some of the very same points (e.g., program equity for 1/2 day special education preschool students, half day kindergarten 'downside' at approximately 1/3 of NJ's Schools, lack of facilities, transportation and other ancillary costs) that GSCS continues to bring on behalf of its members to the attention of state leadership. Click More here to read the Op-Ed.
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10-6-08 D.O.E. October Workshops on Transforming High Schools
GSCS - recommending more flexibility to this proposal - is monitoring the High School Redesign project as it moves along...Attached is an announcement letter from Commissioner Davy and Deputy Commissioner Spicer to a series of 8 workshops on "Transforming High Schools" scheduled for October. "...We are pleased to inform you that the Department of Education will be offering a workshop entitled Redesigning New Jersey’s Secondary Schools: What are the expectations and how can they be met? at no cost to districts, during the month of October. The workshop will be repeated in eight sessions on different dates in various locations statewide..."

Read to see workshops on the Department's perspective and planning, click here
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GSCS, Special Education Coalition for Funding Reform, and Rutgers Institute co-sponsor Forum Oct 7th
The forum was attended by 72 folks from diverse backgrounds - Directors of Special Education, school superintendents, special education advocates & lawyers, school board members and parents, private providers and more - and was very well-received. Presentations were on target as to data impacts of various approaches to special education funding and program equity. The recently formed coalition of GSCS & the Special Education Coalition for Funding Reform were entrusted by their members to pursue certain principles that were explored at the forum, and will present recommendations to their boards in the near future. The forum featured Bruce Baker, national school finance expert currently at Rutgers, "A Current Look at State Funding Formulas Nationally: The Impact on Special Education" and Robert Pasternack, former Undersecretary of Education/Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services, "Best Practices in Special Education" Funding Policies to Support Excellence", the half-day forum was held at Rutgers Busch Caompus. Our thanks to co-sponsor, the Rutgers Institute for Improving Student Acheivement(RIISA)and its Director,Bill Librera, for providing the University setting.
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9-08 GSCS BOARD OF TRUSTEES FLAGS PRESCHOOL MANDATE CONCERNS AS IMMEDIATE PRIORITY
GSCS BOARD OF TRUSTEES FLAGS PRESCHOOL MANDATE CONCERNS AS IMMEDIATE PRIORITY… We need your help.

At its 9-24-08 Board meeting, the GSCS Board noted a number of concerns and issues that are arising out of the preschool expansion initiative. These issues indicate unintended consequences may result if this program is implemented too hastily. It is a costly program but one that demonstrates proven results in our state to date. However, better to slow down and get it right out of the gates, especially given these times of economic crisis. GSCS is already in contact with the executive and legislative branches about concerns members have brought to the board, and appreciates any facts you can forward to us on this issue at gscs2000@gmail.com that demonstrate negatives re: cost, and effective & efficient implementation.
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