Tag Archives: Accountability
Read your minutes!
Last night we shared PEF’s latest edition of the Educated Voters Guide to the School Board Elections with the School Board members. As usual, the Commissioners immediately turned to our report on their attendance. And as usual, they were surprised … Continue reading
New year, old issue: vouchers
Happy New Year! I wish the best for you as 2012 begins. I also wish that we would stop trying to “fix” our Paterson schools with smoke and mirrors. There are all sorts of reasons to oppose the voucher legislation … Continue reading
It’s the Law, isn’t it?
I’m scratching my head about this question: don’t we have to follow the law? We pride ourselves in this country about being a nation of laws, not men. But it doesn’t seem as if New Jersey is paying much attention. … Continue reading
“Democracy isn’t just for rich people”
“Democracy isn’t just for rich people,” said Julia Sass Rubin in Bob Braun’s column about waning support for charters. Our suburban neighbors are proposing that charter schools should have to be approved by the local community. Dr. Rubin leads a … Continue reading
Lawless in NJ? School funding redux
This could be the week we hear from the NJ Supreme Court about the School Funding Reform Act of 2008. Is the state required to follow the law? Or can a governor and legislature simply ignore the law? If the governor … Continue reading
Can you hear the children?
Tonight, PEF will hold its annual School Board Candidate Forum. I’ll be listening for the candidates to talk about the needs of our children. Do we have enough teachers? Are classrooms overcrowded? How do we reduce the use of suspensions? … Continue reading
Where is the money? Come and look.
We have moved tonight’s PEF “Follow the Money” workshop to Wednesday nite as the Paterson Public Schools moved the budget hearing until next week. So plan to join us Wednesday nite at 6 pm at the PEF offices to unearth … Continue reading
Looking for the Money, not Just Following it
“Follow the Money” is a workshop about understanding school budgets that I’ve been offering for years. Because all NJ school districts use the same formats and regualtions, the materials I’ve developed about the Paterson budget can be used for any … Continue reading
Lies, damned lies and statistics, II
All our children need good schools. Nobody disagrees with that. So why can’t we have a civil, rational discussion about how to reach the goal for all kids? Why do we end up twisting statistics in a semantic duel? The … Continue reading
Late to the party: beyond outrage
“Why aren’t you outraged? You should be outraged!”say our newest education reformers. Where have they been? Not paying attention, I guess. I’ve had plenty of outrage at the terrible things done to our kids. I’ve spent countless hours talking to bureaucrats … Continue reading