Governor Jon Corzine recognizes the racial and economic segregation in New Jersey public schools. It seems very difficult for our elected State representatives to publicly recognize and discuss the extent of socio-economic and racial segregation in New Jersey public schools. Most children in urban, suburban or rural districts, go to school with children of their own economic class and race. Governor Corzine recognized this reality in comments he made to the Leadership New Jersey Graduate Organization during a discussion at the studios of New Jersey Network in Trenton on October 4, 2006.

Experts tell Joint Committee that special education costs are higher than they need to be. New Jersey school districts send too many students to out of district placements, incurring excessive costs and violating the law's preference for children to be educated with their-non disabled peers in a general education setting. So said both a national expert and a state advocate for children with special needs in testimony before the Joint Committee on Public School Funding Reform at its hearing on October 3, 2006.

Republicans offer a spending cap proposal; expert says watch out for decline in services. Republican senators offered a proposal to constitutionally limit state spending at a joint committee hearing on October 5. At the very same hearing, a national expert warned that spending caps lead to deterioration in services, votes to override and a widening disparity between rich and poor.

DOE Assistant Commissioner for Abbott Schools Refuses SEOC Parents' Request to Enforce Parental Involvement Requirements. Parent leaders from Camden, Newark, and Jersey City were startled and disappointed on October 11, 2006, at the refusal of Department of Education Assistant Commissioner Gordon MacInnes to take action to enforce compliance with state and federal laws requiring parental involvement in the urban or "Abbott" districts. The parents attended the meeting on behalf of the Statewide Education Organizing Committee. MacInnes is the state's top official responsible for Abbott districts.

The Abbott Leadership Institute launches an interactive website for Newark. The Abbott Leadership Institute of Rutgers University, Newark, (ALI) is adding an interactive website to its outreach and parent engagement effort. The launching of its website, www.abbottleadership.org, is the beginning of ALI's Digital Information Campaign, with data, information and conversations about education issues, policies and practices as they pertain to Newark schools.

ACNJ poll finds that NJ residents oppose property tax relief that would shortchange poor students. According to a poll released by ACNJ on October 17, 2006, most New Jersey residents support state funding for poor city schools and oppose cutting this aid in order to reduce their property taxes. Residents also think that schools, both urban and suburban, should be held more accountable for the how they spend their money to ensure that every penny benefits children.
 

Garden State Coalition of Schools: Press Conference at the Statehouse in Trenton on November 1, 2006 at 11 a.m. to address school funding and governance issues under deliberation in Trenton in its Special Session on Property Taxes. RSVP to cyndywu@gmail.com or call 609 529 5351. Meet in Room 319 at the Statehouse at 10:30, a half hour prior to the press conference.

SEOC demonstration on October 28 to call attention to the DOE's refusal to enforce parental involvement mandates. October 28, 2006, National Make a Difference Day. Participants are invited to bring their children in Halloween costumes. For more information, contact SEOC at 201-333-5700 x 546.

Last Public Hearing on School Funding is scheduled for Tuesday, October 31 at the State House Annex in Trenton. For more information, go to http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/PropertyTaxSession/jcsf.asp .

Fifth Statewide Education Organizing Conference on Saturday, November 11, 2006 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, 33 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick. The conference fee is $30 with advanced registration due by Friday, November 3. Contact SEOC for more information or to register at 973-485-0701, ext. 143, or ewiesholtz@gmail.com, 201-333-5700, ext. 546.