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OAL DKT.
NOS. EDU 03246-01S, EDU 04029-99S, EDU 04030-99S, EDU 04113-99S,
EDU 04436-99S, EDU 05356-99N, EDU 05358-99N, EDU 05799-99N, EDU
05804-99N, EDU 05873-99N, EDU 07157-99N, EDU 07158-99N, EDU 07456-99N,
EDU 07914-00N, EDU 09462-00N
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The
DOE points out that the Abbott VI decision
clearly requires that, to the extent
a district intends to serve children through a Head Start program,
it must do so only in Head Start
programs that meet Abbott quality standards. In such instances
funding and other supports must
be provided to allow those programs to reach such standards.
However, the DOE does not read the decision as compelling districts
to upgrade deficient Head Start
programs. Instead, a district has a choice. It may work with the
Head Start program to achieve
the necessary upgrade to Abbott standards, or,
alternatively, if the Head Start program is unwilling or unable
to upgrade, even if offered
district assistance, the district may fulfill its absolute obligation
to provide a preschool program
for these children by choosing to do so in some other community-based
or in- district program.
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In
her certification on behalf of the DOE, Ms. Friddell advises that
recruitment and outreach was
a topic for discussion at the Program Development Institute held
on March 8, 2000, just after
the issuance of Abbott VI , and opportunities were provided
to discuss successful strategies.
Among those mentioned were the use of grocery bags
and liners for trays at fast food establishments. The topic was
again discussed at meetings
in late April and early May. A memorandum issued on May 12 "reinforced"
the need for recruitment of
students with disabilities. Special efforts to recruit in the
Hispanic community were made
through contacts with the Hispanic Directors
Association of New Jersey. Individual district applications filed
with the DOE included provisions
for recruitment and outreach activities. Jersey City listed nine
activities to be paid for with
Early Childhood Program Act Funds. West New York advised that
it would use cable TV and posters
in religious facilities, shopping areas and restaurants to get
out the message. Paterson proposed
to advertise in newspapers, place posters and
issue fliers, and raise awareness at its Parents Awareness Day.
Newark described its proposed
actions as an "aggressive registration campaign . . . designed
using varied media resources"
and listed several items.
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Ms.
Friddell's amended certification, filed on February 16, 2001,
asserts that, based upon projected
enrollment data submitted to the DOE in the 2000-2001 early
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