News

Student test scores are faulty measure of teacher effectiveness: Opinion

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:35:00 -0400

New Jersey teachers and parents are anxious about the state’s new evaluation procedures, and the Department of Education isn’t helping. Last year, the New Jersey Education Association helped craft a new tenure law that reduced the time and cost of dismissing teachers deemed to be ineffective, while ensuring fairness. The law also mandates a new teacher evaluation process, intended to foster excellent instruction and expanded student learning. But using student standardized test scores to gauge teacher effectiveness, part of a controversial national “corporate” reform movement strongly supported by the Christie administration and its Department of Education, has raised real concerns among educators and evaluation experts.

Teacher Leader bill passes assembly

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:04:00 -0400

Teachers leading teachers to improve student learning and elevate the profession is the goal of a bill passed in the Assembly by a vote of 74-2-1 on May 20.

ESP rights bill passes, awaits signature

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:28:00 -0400

On Monday, May 20, the Assembly passed NJEA’s ESP due process rights bill, A-3696/S-2163, by a vote of 51-26-1. This bill, which will give educational support professionals the right to binding arbitration in disciplinary matters, now heads to the governor’s desk to await his signature.

NJEA PAC endorses primary candidates

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:58:00 -0400

The 125-member political action committee of the 200,000-member New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) has voted to endorse 10 candidates in the New Jersey Senatorial and General Assembly Primary Election.

Support staff deserve fair treatment

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:26:00 -0400

Good employers treat their employees fairly, not only because it’s the decent thing to do, but because workers who are justly compensated for their labor are more productive. When employees have job security—when they know their career prospects aren’t subject to the whims of their bosses—they are loyal to their employers.

Summer PD support sessions

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:15:00 -0400

SGOs? ScIPs? CCSS? Has the new alphabet soup concerning teacher evaluation and curriculum got you wondering how to prepare for next year? NJEA has scheduled six days over the summer to help members get ready for developing Student Growth Objectives (SGOs), implementing the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), and working on School Improvement Panels (ScIPs).

Educators Invited to Rutgers’ Summer Advanced Placement Institute

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:35:00 -0400

Educators can take advantage of Rutgers’ highly-rated Summer Advanced Placement Institute offered on the New Brunswick Campus in three sessions running from July 8 through August 15, 2013. The program, offered in partnership with the College Board, is open to beginning and experienced AP teachers.

Register now for TechCon 2013

Sun, 19 May 2013 14:30:00 -0400

NJEA TechCon 2013 will be held on July 24, 2013 at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in Galloway and will once again be co-sponsored by NJEA, the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, and the Southern Regional Institute and Educational Technology Training Center (SRI&ETTC.)

Conference offers forum for design educators

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:16:00 -0400

The DESIGN-ED Coalition is presenting Design Future 2013: Design Education Conference on Friday, June 28 at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. The conference will convene leading design education professionals to collaborate on the initiation of design education standards and curriculum for pre-K-12 education.

Special ed regulations still on the move!

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:03:00 -0400

Over the past few weeks, there have been many rumors suggesting that the proposed changes to special education regulations have been put on hold. NJEA and other special education stakeholders have NO confirmation that this information is true. The special education regulations are not on the agenda for the June State Board of Education meeting, but that does not mean they will not appear in July or August.

Assembly to vote on ESP due process rights bill

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:38:00 -0400

On Monday, May 20, the General Assembly will vote on A-3696/S-2163, sponsored by Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera and Senator Ray Lesniak. This due process rights bill would statutorily provide all ESPs the right to binding arbitration for disciplinary matters. If this bill passes on Monday, it will advance to the governor’s desk for his signature.

New leadership elected for NJEA

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:24:00 -0400

NJEA members have elected three educators from among their ranks to serve as officers for two-year terms beginning this September.

Philadelphia Soul asks you to take the pledge

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:39:00 -0400

The Philadelphia Soul along with Sierra McCormick, who plays Olive on Disney Channel's A.N.T. Farm, have teamed up to help support one of today’s biggest in-school issues – bullying. Sierra and the Philadelphia Soul ask students to TAKE THE PLEDGE that they will NOT be a bully, but also help students that are being bullied.

Widener University offers intro to engineering workshop for teachers

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:25:00 -0400

High school teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators are invited to attend an Introduction to Engineering Workshop, July 30–Aug. 1, at Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania. At this complimentary, interactive three-day event, educators will discover new projects, hands-on and virtual, to enhance your students’ skills.

Westampton Educator to Tour Brazilian Schools

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:30:00 -0400

The NEA Foundation named Jeanne DelColle, an honors world and U.S. history teacher at Burlington County Institute of Technology in Westampton, NJ, as a 2013 Pearson Foundation Global Learning Fellow. With this honor, DelColle joins a unique class of 36 award-winning public school educators who will build their global competency skills, or the capacity and disposition to understand and act on issues of global significance.

NJ educator hits bullseye with Pinterest

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:46:00 -0400

As part of NEA’s National Teacher Day celebration, WTEA member Josie Smolka, a fifth grade teacher at Pond Road Middle School in Robbinsville, was one of five educators across the nation recognized for their creativity in using Pinterest to enhance their students’ classroom experience.

Learn how to incorporate a school garden into your lessons

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:05:00 -0400

Are you interested in building a school garden with your students? Want to know how to incorporate the garden into your daily lessons? The New Jersey Agricultural Society will present “Cultivate the Curriculum” on Tuesday, July 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A song in her heart

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:08:00 -0400

NJEA and BEN-FM have partnered to educate the public about the important role Educational Support Professionals play in our schools and in our communities. This is Rose Casey. She has been working with middle school students with special needs for the 10 years. She loves helping her students learn and grow.

May is Physical Education and Sport Month

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:37:00 -0400

JoAnn Doherty, president of the New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NJAHPERD), accepts a resolution from State Board of Education President Arcelio Aponte at the May 1 State Board meeting. The board proclaimed May to be “National Physical Education and Sport Month” and urged “all school districts in the State of New Jersey to renew their commitment to quality health and physical education programs and physical activity to improve the health and well-being of this state’s children.”

Proposed regulations threaten special education quality

Tue, 07 May 2013 11:06:00 -0400

Commissioner Chris Cerf and the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) continue to push for radical revisions of the state’s special education laws. Educators, parents and special education advocacy organizations who have studied the proposal are sounding the alarm, noting that the changes would harm special education students and make special education teachers’ and guidance counselors’ jobs more difficult.

Celebrate teachers this week

Mon, 06 May 2013 11:47:00 -0400

May 7, 2013 is National Teacher Day, a time for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives. That week, May 5-11, is designated Teacher Appreciation Week by the National PTA.

Concerns over special ed regs go unheeded

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:40:00 -0400

Despite the outcry from educators throughout the state, the State Board of Education is still considering adopting new special education regulations—a move that disregards the Education Transformation Task Force’s recommendations to have the Department of Education convene a special work group to study these regulations.

NJEA, NJCCC honor community college scholars

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:26:00 -0400

NJEA joined the New Jersey Council of County Colleges to honor New Jersey’s 35 best and brightest community college students and their families at the 19^th annual Phi Theta Kappa Day celebration on Thursday, May 2, at the Trenton Marriott Hotel.

Evaluation regs move to proposal level

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:49:00 -0400

A new evaluation system for New Jersey’s teachers is one step closer to implementation. At the May 1 State Board of Education meeting, board members voted to officially propose the regulations governing teacher evaluation in New Jersey.

Common Core Statewide Teacher Conference

Thu, 02 May 2013 11:30:00 -0400

Do you feel your current knowledge about the major instructional shifts in the Common Core and the strategies needed to facilitate learning and student achievement may impact your effectiveness as a teacher and ultimately your evaluation? Then you won't want to miss the Kean Institute for the Common Core Statewide Teacher Conference to be held on Aug. 8 at Kean University.

Urge Congress to make public education a priority

Thu, 02 May 2013 10:40:00 -0400

Congress rushed to fix flight delays caused by the sequester, but put tens of thousands of children on standby for Head Start. That's just one example of Congress ignoring the powerless while catching a flight home. Visit nea.org to create your own paper airplane message for Congress.

Take the School Breakfast Challenge

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:57:00 -0400

Children need to start their school day well-fed and ready to learn. Yet New Jersey’s participation in the federal School Breakfast Program is nearly the lowest in the country. That’s because many New Jersey districts serve breakfast before school starts when most children have not yet arrived at school. The solution is to serve breakfast after school starts.

Wear jeans to support the troops

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:56:00 -0400

The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) is proud to once again sponsor the GI Go Fund’s Jeans for Troops program which is raising funds to support the GI Go Transition Center for veterans who need assistance with employment, housing, education, and access to health care.

Leadership conference provides training

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:47:00 -0400

The 2013 NJEA Jack Bertolino Summer Leadership Conference will offer a broad menu of 35 training seminars that equip members to become stronger association advocates.

NJEA/ Greater Media recognizes NJEA members

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:50:00 -0400

NJEA partnered with New Jersey Greater Media radio stations to salute over 60 teachers and Educational Support Professional at three events in April.

Teleconference informs, spurs action on proposed special education regulations

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:58:00 -0400

NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Marie Blistan was quick to thank the 929 parents, teachers, education support professionals, and special education advocates who participated in the Association’s first statewide teleconference on April 22. The purpose of the conference was to educate callers on new special education regulations proposed by the New Jersey Department of Education.

Para jobs saved in Franklin Township

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:44:00 -0400

As the clock struck 10 p.m. on March 14, Franklin Township Education Association’s (FTEA) paraprofessionals were still listening to the Franklin Township Board of Education debate their fate. For the second time in as many years, the board was considering privatization the 109 members, many of whom are one-on-one aides for the district’s neediest students.

April elections bring big wins for school districts

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:00:00 -0400

It’s the kind of support rarely seen whenever a voting booth is involved: More than 92 percent of the school budgets passed in annual elections held April 16. That’s a good start for the handful of districts in New Jersey that have chosen not to move elections to November under a law that went into effect in 2011.

Hipp Foundation grants awarded

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:36:00 -0400

Teachers throughout New Jersey will bring their creative ideas to life thanks to financial support from NJEA. The NJEA Frederick L. Hipp Foundation for Excellence in Education has awarded another 11 grants totaling $88,600 to public school educators for the 2013-14 school year. Since its creation, the Foundation has awarded nearly $1.6 million in support of 312 innovative educational projects that represent a bold, fresh approach by public school employees.

Positive Practices in Special Education Conference: Response to Intervention

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:38:00 -0400

The Department of Secondary and Special Education at Montclair State University is holding its second annual Positive Practices in Special Education Conference on Response to Intervention from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4. The day will begin with a keynote speaker and end with targeted breakout sessions on a variety of topics including RtI in Secondary schools, Working with Parents, Legal Issues within RtI, and many more.

NJ Council of County Colleges to honor the state’s top community college student scholars

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:33:00 -0400

The New Jersey Council of County Colleges will honor New Jersey’s 40 best and brightest community college students and their families at its 19th annual Phi Theta Kappa Day celebration on Thursday, May 2, at the Trenton Marriott Hotel, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Teaming up to tackle drug abuse through education

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:25:00 -0400

Since America declared the “war on drugs” 40 years ago, it’s racked up 45 million arrests, packed prisons, and cost the nation more than a trillion dollars. Teachers, parents, and members of community groups in Jefferson Township think they have a better idea. Convinced that it’s better to educate than incarcerate, the Jefferson Township Education Association has joined with school administrators and municipal organizations and pulled together a program that it hopes will help break the cycle of substance abuse.

Fact:

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:51:00 -0400

The numbers don’t lie. Under Governor Chris Christie, New Jersey residents continue to fall behind the rest of America, and things continue to get worse. Here are just a few of the numbers that the Christie administration would rather we not see.

A trusted adult and confidant

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:58:00 -0400

Lynn Cianci has been a food service worker in the Washington Township School District for 19 years. She enjoys the challenge of preparing nutritious and appealing meals for high school students, but the thing she enjoys most about her job is interacting with her students. Lynn is featured in the latest NJEA ad running on BEN-FM this month.

NJEA weighs in on governor’s budget plan

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:40:00 -0400

Testifying before the Assembly Budget Committee at Rutgers Law School April 9, NJEA Vice President Wendell Steinhauer said Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed budget for FY14 “falls short” for public schools, failing to offset nearly $3.6 billion in cuts to education over the past three years.

Cyberbullying in America

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:47:00 -0400

The Rutgers Computer & Technology Law Journal, and the Rutgers Institute for Professional Education, with the support of the Rutgers School of Law-Newark Alumni Association, are hosting a full-day symposium for “Cyberbullying in America: A Discussion of Liability, Policy, and Progress” to be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at Rutgers School of Law-Newark. The symposium will include multiple panels discussing issues of criminal liability, civil liability, and building good policy in a networked age of bullying.

New report demonstrates that socioeconomic inequality skews student test scores

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:29:00 -0400

Last month, the Stanford Graduate School of Education and the Economic Policy Institute released a report, “What do international tests really show about American student performance?” demonstrating that socioeconomic inequality among U.S. students skews international comparisons of student test scores.

Autism Awareness Month sparks opportunities, activities

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:50:01 -0400

Families affected with autism can feel comfortable and enjoy a relaxed family dinner out at TGI Fridays during the seventh annual Autism Family Night on April 23, 2013. This year’s event, created by Alexandra Abend, a Duke University graduate and member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, is taking place at TGI Fridays in New Jersey, Connecticut, North Carolina and parts of Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia.

State board discusses proposed evaluation regs

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:15:00 -0400

NJEA members crowded into the State Board of Education meeting April 3, joining President Barbara Keshishian to speak out about problems with regulations proposed to implement the new teacher evaluation system passed into law last year. The regulations were presented to the State Board at second discussion level. The N.J. Department of Education (DOE) had made only minor changes to the code from when it was first introduced last month.

Tell the State Board: Let teachers teach!

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:35:00 -0400

At the State Board of Education meeting on April 3, the proposed special education regulations continued to move through the administrative adoption code process. Dozens of NJEA members witnessed the State BOE unanimously vote to move these regulations with only one minor amendment, still seeking to place case management responsibilities in the hands of classroom teachers and other certified staff members.

Closter EA raises thousands for Sandy relief

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:53:00 -0400

The Closter Education Association was proud to host a pancake breakfast at Applebee’s in Northvale on March 3 to benefit schools recovering from Superstorm Sandy. CEA raised over $2,700, which they donated to the public schools in Red Bank.

New Jersey Coalition for Financial Education

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:10:00 -0400

On Thursday, April 11, NJCFE Teachers Teaching Teachers (T3) will present their annual spring conference. An active, participatory working conference, T3 is designed to provide teachers with useable, practical, time-tested ideas that have been proven to work successfully. The conference is open to P/K – 12 teachers and adult educators who work with financial concepts in their classrooms and training sites. Pre-registration for the T3 conference is required and lunch will be provided.

New Jersey State Conference of NAACP Rally on April 6

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:47:00 -0400

On Saturday, April 6 come out and join us at a rally sponsored by the New Jersey NAACP at the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton. The NJ NAACP is taking a stand to bridge the gap in education, achieve a fair share of affordable housing, economic development, and employment opportunities.

All in for Citizenship March and Rally

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:50:00 -0400

The National Education Association (NEA) is asking you to join them in the All in for Citizenship March and Rally on April 10 in Washington, DC. The event will reassert the mandate from the election for Congress to act urgently to fix our nation’s broken immigration system. Also, read about NEA's national contest to send two winners to fly to Washington, D.C. to participate in the march.

Latinos and the Future of Higher Education Conference

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:37:00 -0400

A conference exploring the role of Latinos in higher education is being held on April 9-10, 2013. The event, entitled Latinos and the Future of Higher Education: Access, Retention and Graduate Aspirations will take place at the Downtown Marriott Hotel in Trenton, New Jersey. Registration materials must be postmarked on or before March 29, 2013.