Tag Archives: Commissioners of Education
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
Twenty years and counting
We’ve past a milestone that I hoped we’d never see. August 7 was the 20th anniversary of state takeover of the Paterson Public Schools. Will we ever return? We could. NJ QSAC [Quality Single Accountability Continuum] finally provided the roadmap. Our state … Continue reading
Are you a champion?
Are you a champion? If you are, Paterson Public Schools needs you. We need you to run for the school board. We are entering the most difficult series of challenges ever faced by our children. We face people in power … Continue reading
Unspeakable truths and takeover
Last Sunday, to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, my Children’s Chapel children and I talked about justice. As I listened to them wrestle their experiences, I was reminded that Paterson participated in racist/segregationist policies for its school children. We adults don’t talk … Continue reading
Don’t pop the cork, local control still distant
The newly released QSAC [Quality Single Accountability Contiuum] scores suggest that Paterson Public Schools will regain governance, personnel and operations. But don’t pop that celebratory cork yet. Acting Commissioner Hendrick’s letter doesn’t give a firm timeline for next steps. It does say … Continue reading
Here we go AGAIN:New Commissioner Must Support Dr. Evans
New rumors that Gov Christie will name a new Commissioner of Education are swirling around again. The Gov’s choice matters. A lot. Paterson needs stability. In the past 5 years, Paterson has had three superintendents, each with a different vision … Continue reading
Some better news: School Board 10/20/10
Dr. Evans brought better news to the Board of Education on Wednesday night. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 with Best, Guzman, Irving, Kerr, Mendez and Simmons present. Rodriguez and Hodges entered at 7:10 and Taylor at 7:30 … Continue reading
Paterson School Board workshop meeting 10/6; wrestling with bad news
Most of the news wasn’t good. Spring 2010 test scores were mostly down. One hundred eighty-six seniors didn’t pass the final exit exam and were denied diplomas. The board had lots of ideas about what to do that include all … Continue reading
QSAC Stars in Trenton: Will we ever return to local control?
Yesterday I attended the Joint committee on Public Schools meeting. Here are a few things I thought noteworthy. Senator Rice asked some very pointed questions about QSAC. He wanted to know: the implementation process, how many districts had been evaluated, how … Continue reading
Returning to Local Control: Will Paterson ever get out of takeover?
Do you know that it has been 19 years [August 3, 1991] since the State of New Jersey took over the Paterson Public Schools? Since that time Paterson has had six State Superintendents, seven Commissioners of Education and seven Governors. … Continue reading