NJ Education Report

From JerseyCan’s press release:

Today, the New Jersey State Assembly voted in favor of the students and families of Camden by passing S2264. The bill now awaits a signature from Governor Christie to become law. 

S2264 will help renaissance schools grow and better serve students, ultimately giving more families access to high-quality schools. 

Renaissance schools are free public schools that serve all students who live within the immediate neighborhood. The current renaissance schools that have opened in Camden this year are being run by three nonprofit school organizations with strong track records of success. Uncommon Schools has operated high-quality public charter schools in Newark for over 15 years, and KIPP has operated in Newark for over 10 years. Mastery has operated high-quality public charter schools in Philadelphia for over 10 years. Their track records speak for themselves.

No link for the press release available yet.
Addendum: Here’s the link.

NJEA also just published its commentary on today’s passage of the Urban Hope Act, which permits school board-approved charter schools to avail themselves of private companies to build school facilities. Here’s part of it:

[I]is imperative that the same legislators who are approving the Urban Hope Act amendments understand that NJEA and CEA {Camden Education Association] cannot make these commitments without an equal commitment to educational stability and equity in Camden. 

“That must be embodied through immediate settlement of the school employees’ contract, and through appropriate resources and staffing levels, both among teachers and administrators. Only then can we all work together to achieve our common objective: great public schools for every child in Camden.”

Yup, all about the kids. For recent NJLB coverage, see here.