The Joint Committee on the Public Schools held its reorganization meeting March 14 in the Statehouse, where Sen. Ronald Rice and Assemblywoman Mila Jasey were re-elected as co-chairs.
The group is expected to meet March 15 to receive testimony from the Department of Education and the Education Law Center on the Department’s use of the PARCC scores to meet graduation requirements, or alternatives such as the SAT, ACT, ACCUPLACER or profiles. NJPSA will be on hand to provide details on the hearing.
Membership
The committee consists of 14 members: 7 Assembly Members appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and 7 Senators appointed by the Senate President. Two members from each house should be members of their respective house’s Education Committee. Current Member include:
- Senator Diane B. Allen
- Senator Christopher Bateman
- Senator James Beach
- Assemblyman Ralph R. Caputo
- Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez
- Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce
- Assemblywoman Mila M. Jasey
- Assemblywoman Sheila Y. Oliver
- Assemblyman David P. Rible
- Senator Ronald L. Rice
- Senator Samuel D. Thompson
- Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly
- Assemblyman David W. Wolfe
The Joint Committee on the Public Schools provides an ongoing study of the system of free public schools; it’s financing, administration and operations, as well as to make recommendations for legislative action.
About the Committee
Created by statute in 1975, this committee is comprised of 14 members of the Legislature. Appointments are made by the Senate President and Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly. The Members select leadership at the reorganization meeting, every 2 years. A subcommittee structure has allowed this committee to be involved in major legislative policies and proposals. Current subcommittees include the following areas:
- Innovative Practices
- Data, Research & Evaluation
- Student & Field Services
- School Facilities & Construction