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A Message from the Superintendent of Schools
Without a doubt, every educator and
student in the state has been impacted by the new federal law No Child Left
Behind (NCLB). This new law introduces sweeping reform and redefines the federal
role in Pre K-12 state and local education. Essentially, NCLB focuses on
accountability, flexibility and local control, expanded options for parents, and
academic programs with proven results. The accountability results will be
transmitted to the parents through the individual student progress documentation
and the State Report Card. Perhaps the most significant change in state testing
involves disaggregated data. This simply means that test results will be
reported according to long lists of categories such as: ethnic groups, Limited
English Proficient (LEP), students with disabilities, etc. Each district will be
required to meet the state standards in all categories. Improvement plans will
be required for any category not meeting the standard. By 2014 the state will
require that 100% of students in all categories meet the standards. This will be
a daunting task.
In the past, the ESPA, GEPA and HSPA standard were used as indicators of
progress and success. The 4th grade ESPA has been replaced by the 3rd & 4th
grade NJASK. The NCLB law requires challenging state standards in reading, math
and science, annual testing for all students in grades 3-8 and at least one test
in grades 10-12. Assessments must provide accommodations for students with
disabilities, including an Alternative Proficiency Assessment for students in
need. Schools failing to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) will be subject to
improvement, corrective action and restructuring measures.
The NCLB law provides unprecedented flexibility for states and local school
districts in the use of federal education dollars. For example, many districts
have used grant money to improve student/teacher ratios through the class size
reduction (CSR) initiative. Some districts have reallocated resources
eliminating the traditional basic skills programs in favor of smaller classes.
Class size reduction eliminates duplication of services, reduces student
labeling and increases staff accountability.
Educators should note that New Jersey is a “choice state”. Under this plan
parents have the option of transferring students enrolled in a school that did
not pass the minimum academic and safety standards to another public school
within the district. Additionally there are charter schools and inter-district
choice schools that offer alternative opportunities to parents and students.
Supplemental services including tutoring, after school programs and summer
school will also be provided to schools failing to meet state standards.
New Jersey’s model for Highly Qualified Teachers is having a major impact on
school districts. To satisfy the federal definition of Highly Qualified,
teachers must have at least a bachelor’s degree, a valid state certificate and
content expertise in the core academic subjects they teach. Most teachers must
meet the definition by the end of the 2005-2006 school year. As a result of the
NCLB regulation, school districts nationwide and more than 500 schools in New
Jersey failed to make adequate yearly progress last year. Throughout the state
and nation, districts are taking unprecedented action to comply with the NCLB
law. In addition to the initiatives noted above many schools are applying for
competitive grants that directly or indirectly relate to compliance with the
NCLB initiative. The
A.C.E.+, Even Start, Smaller Learning
Community, 21st Century Community Learning Center, and School Based Youth
Services grants all focus on academic enrichment, healthful living and family
support in an effort to meet many of the federal and state guidelines. Educators
are concerned about NCLB. They express their thoughts on the positive and
negative impact of this broad-based initiative and question some of the extreme
guidelines that must be implemented by 2014. Whatever modifications, guidelines
and consequences are in store for NCLB, the next ten years will be a challenging
time for everyone.
Robert P. Mooney
Superintendent of Schools
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