State Seeks Public Input on Education

The Governor’s Education Transformation Task Force will hold two public hearings next week to solicit input for its review of the state’s education regulations.  All members of the public are welcome to attend.

The Education Transformation Task Force was established by the Governor in April 2011 to address two issues: to review all statutes and regulations that affect public education and to recommend a new accountability system that grants more autonomy to schools while maintaining strict accountability for student performance, safety and fiscal responsibility. The Task Force will submit an interim report with its recommendation to the Governor by August 15, 2011 and a final report by December 31, 2011.

As part of its review, the Task Force is seeking input from individuals and organizations on regulations that have been placed on school districts and educational providers that are not strictly required by the express terms of any statute or federal mandate and substantially impedes creativity and innovation in achieving educational, operational or fiscal effectiveness.  The Task Force also welcomes input on a next-generation accountability system for districts and schools that demands results while encouraging innovative approaches to improving student learning.

The hearings are scheduled for:

• Monday, July 11, 3:30pm, Pittsgrove Municipal Building, 989 Centerton Road, Pittsgrove, NJ
• Tuesday, July 12, 3:30pm, Seton Hall University, McNulty Hall, Amphitheater SC101, 400 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ

Suggestions and thoughts may also be provided to the Task Force via email (regreform@doe.state.nj.us) or postal mail (Education Transformation Task Force, c/o Department of Education, 100 Riverview Plaza, PO Box 500, Trenton, NJ 08625).