The NJ Department of Education announced on January 20, 2011, that school choices for New Jersey’s 2012-2013 school year will be further increased by eight, newly approved charter schools.
NJ Acting Commissioner of Education Chris Cerf indicates, "The applications we approved today have demonstrated a strong educational program and the capacity to implement that program, in addition to articulating a clearly defined need for the school in their specific community."
Commitment to a process that builds choice and access
Commissioner Cerf indicates that the increase in charter schools aligns with Governor Chris Christie administration’s commitment to expanding the number of school options for high-need students across the state. The Commissioner further clarified, stating, "Since Governor Christie took office, we have committed to being unapologetically impatient when students do not have access to the high-quality school options that they deserve. In addition to working to improve all public schools by ensuring that every classroom has an outstanding educator and implementing the new Common Core State Standards aligned with college and career readiness, we are also committed to expanding the number of high-quality charter schools so that every student can choose the school option that is the best fit.”
Over the past year, the NJ Department of Education has worked closely with the National Association of Charter School Authorizers to strengthen both the state's application review process and overall authorizing capacity. The Department has a three stage charter review process. Using both internal DOE staff and qualified external reviewers, each application is reviewed against a defined set of benchmarks to determine which applications will move on to the second stage of the process. As one example, benchmarks include whether an application proposes an educational program that integrates the school's mission and clearly indicates how it will educate all students, regardless of any theme or other specific focus.
Typically, about half of the applications move on to the second round of the process. In this round, 17 of 42 applications moved onto the second stage of the process where applicants receive "addenda" questions for clarification on their application. The Department provides both the original application and "addenda" to districts for comment. The Department also receives and reviews significant public comment during this process.
In the third part of the process, the Department brings each team in for an intensive, in-person interview where applicants are asked about both the academic and operational components of the proposed school. In addition, the public and district comments received are incorporated into the interview questions. The review team also closely examines the school's financial plan and budget. The Commissioner of Education then makes a final determination about which applications to approve.
Approval decisions are made based on the quality of the proposed educational program, the capacity of the founding team to implement that program, and the need for the proposed school in the community.
List of schools
The eight, newly approved charter applications are as follows:
- Charter School for Global Leadership in Camden approved for Grades 9-12 enrollment of 600 students.
- City Invincible Charter School in Camden approved for K-8 enrollment of 600 students.
- COMPASS Academy Charter School in Millville, Pittsgrove, Vineland district for K-5 enrollment of 228 students.
- Hope Community Charter School in Camden approved for K-4 enrollment of 330 students.
- Jersey City Global Charter School in Jersey City approved for K-6 enrollment of 486 students.
- Newark Prep Charter School in Newark approved for 6-12 enrollment of 446 students.
- Paulo Freire Charter School in Newark approved for 9-12 enrollment of 320 students.
- Trenton Prep Charter School in Trenton approved for 6-12 enrollment of 446 students.
Ongoing process with oversight
A charter school is a public school operated under a charter granted by the Commissioner of Education and is independent of the local school district’s board of education. It is managed by a board of trustees. Each of these eight, newly approved charters will need to be approved during the Department's readiness review before it is able to open in September.
The NJ Department of Education has taken steps to increase its accountability systems for charter schools to ensure both the quality of the school and equality of access for all students to the school. This accountability system includes a more robust and quantitative renewal process, the introduction of performance contracts for each school, and more frequent evaluations during a school’s five year charter term.
Time of national urgency and recognition of education's importance
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has urged states to work with charter school operators to turn around struggling schools and provide innovation and choice to students and parents. Secretary Duncan indicates, “Children need more high-quality educational options, and charter schools have an important role to play in the school turnaround business.”
New Jersey response targets options for all learners
Acting Commissioner Chris Cerf has indicated, “Charter schools serve a critical need in New Jersey not only by providing high-quality options for students where they otherwise do not exist, but also by serving as laboratories of innovation.”
The challenges of commitment to educate all learners is critical
Innovation is critical to meeting the increased needs of 21st century learning and in meeting commitments to educate all learners, including those in severely challenged districts. In schools throughout the state and nation, the call for innovation and goal-based learning resounds and draws fresh commitment.
Our nation’s future is dependent upon the successful education of its children. Strong schools, charter, private, and public, all have important roles to play in providing genuine opportunity for every learner. State, national, and global education stakeholders must work together to meet the challenges of a 21st century, educational transformation that is robust enough to achieve the vital success of our most precious resource, our children.
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