NJ Left Behind

If You’re Looking for a Robust Democratic Debate About Education, This Ain’t It
“At last,” I exulted, as I peered at a Slack message from a colleague. The Democratic presidential candidates are going to finally discuss America’s public…

Top Democratic Candidates’ Disrespect for Parents of Color Has Me Wondering If I Fit Into This Party Anymore.
Politico reports today that Elizabeth Warren’s support among Democratic and left-leaning Independent primary voters “plunged 50% over the past month, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.” …

I Spit Out My Coffee When I Read Cory Booker’s Op-Ed: Nine Theories That Explain His Change of Heart.
I gasped as I opened the op-ed section of the New York Times and read Senator Cory Booker’s column repudiating his regressive stance on public charter schools.…

Newark Students Deserve Education Champions Who Keep Their Promises
It’s no secret that education in the city of Newark has had a tumultuous history. It’s a history with a complex narrative—going from a distinguished…

Coffee Break: Why Mark Rynone Left Corporate to Help Kids With Special Needs
Mark Rynone considers his passion for education as an outgrowth of family values. After all, his mother, brother and a handful of other relatives work…

New Jersey Skated by for Years on Misleading Graduation Rates, But Now It’s Closing the ‘Honesty Gap’
Does it seem odd to you that we’re celebrating the fact that half of New Jersey’s third-graders are at or above grade level in language…

The Votes Are In: New Jersey’s Teachers Union Really Blew It
The leaders of New Jersey’s primary teachers union, the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), have egg on their faces. In a triumph of vindictiveness over…

Watching DeVos Makes Me Nervous for All the Children Like My Son Who Have Special Needs
I’ve tried to be open-minded about Trump’s nominee for Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos. Many people I respect view her as a potentially powerful voice for…

Next Steps in Newark: Superintendent Chris Cerf Responds to Dale Russakoff’s ‘The Prize’
Last week, Education Post ran an interview with Newark Superintendent Chris Cerf talking about ongoing efforts to improve public education in New Jersey’s largest city.…