Imagine if we graduated 90% of Paterson kids!

Imagine if we graduated 90% of Paterson kids! I had the distinct privilege of participating in the First Annual America’s Promise GradNation Summit in Washington DC last week. It was so exciting to see so many people hyped about getting all our children to graduate high school

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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 the proposed changes for next year. A

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Change and Continuity

I am traveling to Trenton today to hear the State Board of Education receive Dr. Evans’ report on the Paterson Public Schools.  I want to gauge the amount of support our new Commissioner and Board members show to him as he reports on the changes he has

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Listening for Justice

On Wednesday afternoon at 2 pm in Judge Doyne’s courtroom, we will once again listen for the sounds of justice as the judge hears closing arguments in the SFRA remand trial. What are the sounds of justice? For me, it is to hear that ALL the children have

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Hooray and now what?

Yesterday Governor Christie announced that 10 of the 51 school construction projects from 2008 would move forward. Thankfully, Paterson has two of them: Hazel Marshall and School 16. Given the enormity of Paterson’s school facility needs, this is a huge step forward. But after we celebrate, comes

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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 in Trenton about abuses by the leadership

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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 in Trenton who believe our children have

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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 about it very often.  And when we

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