"Abbott" refers to the New Jersey Supreme Court’s rulings in the Abbott v. Burke case. The Abbott rulings establish the rights of children in urban communities to a "thorough and efficient" education under our State constitution. Abbott gives children a right to an instructional program based on high standards; high quality preschool starting at age 3; extra or "supplemental" programs; safe and adequate school buildings; and better teaching in all subjects. These rights are for all urban children, including children who don’t speak English, and children with disabilities or other special needs. The goal of Abbott is to provide your child with a high quality education.

Children growing up in cities suffer the most from drug abuse, crime, violence, hunger, poor health and poverty. These problems are not left at the school-house door. For this reason, Abbott schools must have extra programs to make sure your child is able to learn at high standards. These programs are called "supplemental" because they are added to the instruction your child gets in the core subjects required for each grade and for graduation -- reading, writing, math, science, social studies, the arts and health and physical education. Supplemental programs are also in addition to special education and bilingual education.

If your child is in elementary school, his or her school must have these supplemental programs:

• Early-Grade Reading Program: small reading groups and tutors so your child is reading at grade level as early as possible.
• Model for Better Teaching: special training to help all teachers and teacher assistants – including bilingual educators and special educators -- do better in the classroom. Your school will choose its own model.
• Social and Health Services Program: at least three full-time staff -- school nurse, social worker and counselor – to help make your child healthy and able to learn. These staff must be in addition to the staff on your school’s child study team.
• Parent Programs: a special full-time staff person to work with parents and represent their concerns and ideas to the school.
• Technology Program: at least one computer for every five children and two full- time staff so your school uses the best technology to help your child learn.
• Security Program: at least one security staff for every 535 students so your child is safe in school.

These staff must be specially trained for their jobs, and cannot have other duties. Also, if your school needs more of these staff positions, such as security guards or social workers, your school must have them. The goal is to meet the needs of all of the school’s students.

Your child may need even more programs, such as after-school, summer school, and a health clinic on-site. If programs such as these are needed, your school must provide them.

No. The State is required to pay for all supplemental programs, even if this means your school must get more money from the State than it has now. Your school must include the extra funds in its budget. The State must then pay your school the money it needs.

Your child’s school must have a school management team, or "SMT." The SMT must make sure that your school has all the needed supplemental programs and gets any extra funds from the State that may be required.

Parents, teachers, community members, and others should all be represented on the SMT. The SMT should also include parents and teachers who can represent children in special education and bilingual education.

Parents, caregivers, relatives, neighbors and friends – your participation will help make sure that your children get the supplemental programs they need. You must encourage other parents to get involved because together you can make a difference. Sign up to be on your school’s SMT. Or attend SMT meetings if you can, and talk to SMT members regularly about your concerns. Make sure that the State gives your school enough funding.

Your voice must be heard -- by your school, your district, and in Trenton! Call us if you think your children are not getting what they need, or if you are not given the information you need to support your child’s education and your school’s improvement.