Salvaging the DOE

Laura Waters February 5, 2009

As the new data from the N.J. State Report Cards makes the rounds, the DOE is caught in the unenviable position of defending uneven test

Who’s Partially Proficient?

Laura Waters February 4, 2009

The N.J. School Report Card data came out today and it’s a bit sobering. We’re sure there’ll be some punchy spin from Lucille Davy and

High School Redesign Undermined

Laura Waters February 3, 2009

New Jersey’s High School Redesign Steering Committee recently issued a set of newly rigorous requirements for public school diplomas. This effort is part of Corzine

The Merger Macarena

Laura Waters February 3, 2009

As districts face the music generated by the DOE’s mandate on school consolidation, a predictable pattern is emerging: first, murmur agreeably about potential efficiencies and,

Rush Holt on N.J.’s “Skimming Problem”

Laura Waters January 30, 2009

The Federal stimulus package, approved by the House and headed for the Senate, allots billions of dollars towards schools, and New Jersey school board members

The Politics of High School Reform

Laura Waters January 28, 2009

There’s been much talk about reforming our high schools so that, according to the ubiquitous soundbite, our students are prepared for the 21st century in

What’s Another School District?

Laura Waters January 28, 2009

For a great example of the challenges inherent in consolidation of local school districts, look to Oradell’s campaign to withdraw from their partnership with River

School Officials Can Breathe Again…

Laura Waters January 27, 2009

…because it’s looking more and more unlikely that local districts will have to start up full day preschools for poor 3 and 4-year-olds this September.

Bill Gates on Tenure

Laura Waters January 26, 2009

Bill Gates, in his 2009 Annual Letter from the Gates Foundation (here), is candid about some failures in his education initiatives, specifically in regard to