Newark Trust
Welcome to this week's education news round-up.
Newark 350 Program!
The Trust is currently accepting applications from schools to support the launch of educational activities that will bring together parents, educators and students in celebration of Newark’s cultural, historical and social roots. We have extended our deadline to May 18th. Schools and/or community-based organizations working in partnership with schools may apply here. You may also learn more about the program by visiting our website.
LOCAL
Newark School Board Chooses New Leadership
The NPS School Advisory Board has selected Antoinette Baskerville-Richardson as its new chair. Ms. Baskerville-Richardson has served on the board since 2011 and also served as the chair in 2014. Crystal Fonseca was named vice chair.
Newark Charter School Fund Outlines 4 Areas to Lift City's Education
The Newark Charter School Fund has a released a new report entitled, “Better Options, Better Futures: Eight Years of the Newark Charter School Fund”, which takes a look back at the Fund’s impact on the public charter school sector in Newark.
Baraka Blames Potential Newark Tax Increase on State's 'Bad Decisions'
Faced with ongoing fiscal challenges, city officials announced earlier this week that it will need to invest an additional $127,561,585 to help fund the Newark Public Schools system, resulting in higher taxes for residents in Newark.
See Governor Chris Christie’s response here.
Lines in the Dust by Nikkole Salter
In partnership with a number of community-based organizations, the Newark Arts Education RoundTable, will host a forum on equality in education for Newark Youth on Thursday, May 12th and Saturday, May 14th. The forum features readings from Nikkole Salter’s play Lines in the Dust
For more info on the play visit https://newarkartsed.org/.
Newark Public Schools Celebrates District’s Big Win In National e-Reading Contest
Students at Louise A. Spencer Elementary School placed 1st in New Jersey and in the top 10 percent of participating schools nationwide in the 2nd annual Learning Ally Great Reading Games. The contest, which is held for students with reading difficulties, highlighted the important role that technology can play in developing students’ academic abilities.
REGIONAL
N.J. Bill Challenges State Control of Local Schools
Legislators have introduced a new bill, which would reverse the State’s ability to take over local school districts. The four state-run districts are Camden, Jersey City, Patterson and Newark.
Administration Poring Over Pearson Contract to Assess PARCC Damages
Education Commissioner David Hespe has announced that his team will review its current contract with education-publishing company, Pearson, to determine who is responsible for the recent systems crash, which resulted in significant testing delays across the state.
NJ School Districts Craft Progressive Policies on Transgender Rights
While progress has been made in addressing gender- identity issues, advocates are calling on the Department of Education to develop a statewide policy that would address the rights of transgender students.
NATIONAL
New York to Expand Gifted Offerings as Disparities Remain
In the coming year, the New York City Department of Education plans to open a number of gifted and talented programs in four districts without programs in place. This move is intended to improve access to gifted and talented programs for students from low- income backgrounds.
Obama to Forgive the Student Debt of Permanently Disabled People
The Obama Administration has taken further steps towards its plan to forgive $7.7 billion in federal student loans held by nearly 400,000 permanently disabled Americans.
By law, anyone with a severe disability is eligible for loan forgiveness.
Only A Fraction Of Students Are Prepared For College When They Leave High School
Results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress NAEP show that the gap between high performing and low-performing students continues to widen. Widely referred to as the “Nation’s Report Card”, the NAEP is a reading and math exam given to a nationally representative sample of students every few years.