The Center for Education Reform has just come out with a new report, “Race To The Top for Charter Schools: Which States Have What it Takes to Win.” We got a middling grade on our charter school regulations because:
1) Only one agency can authorize new charter schools: the State DOE. Most other states have universities or independent boards that approve new charters.
2) CEF’s President Jeanne Allen (per the Star-Ledger) said that New Jersey’s laws also create “unnecessary processes” and “burdensome” paperwork requirements.
3) Our funding is inequitable. N.J. laws require that local districts pass on only 90% of cost per pupil, plus charters aren’t eligible for the adjustment aid available through the School Funding Reform Act. That drops charter funding to about 65%-75% of other schools. On top of that, we offer no facilities funding.
Here’s the full report.
