Special Broadcast – October 11, 2018
Dear Colleagues:
It has been almost 25 years since New Jersey enacted its charter-school law, the Charter School Program Act of 1995, P.L.1995, c. 426. Governor Murphy has directed the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to assess New Jersey’s approach to charter schools as it relates to those most impacted by the charter law. This week, NJDOE has launched a statewide outreach effort to obtain feedback from the field regarding the charter-related priorities that are most important to New Jersey stakeholders.
To advance this effort, the NJDOE will connect with a wide variety of stakeholders, including school district administrators, charter school leads, parents, teachers, students, advocacy groups, community leaders, and faith-based organizations to consider various aspects of the law and to explore relevant stakeholder priorities.
Our agency will host community focus groups in Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Trenton, Camden, and Plainfield, with NJDOE staff visiting charter schools, conducting two online webinars, soliciting written responses to guided questions, and meeting with stakeholder organizations and their members. The NJDOE will gather all feedback and summarize stakeholder responses in a published report following the conclusion of outreach.
Below is a menu of engagement options:
- Submit interest to host one of our Charter School Collaboratives for stakeholder organizations.Please submit this form by October 19, 2018, in order to be considered.
- Participate in a live webinar on either October 19, 2018 or October 29, 2018.
- Register to join the NJDOE at a Focus Group session during the months of October and November. Please RSVP by October 19, 2018.
- Please click here to submit written feedback by completing a short-answer questionnaire by November 21, 2018.
Visit the NJDOE Charter Outreach webpage for more information on the Charter School Program Act Review, and feel free to share this information with your local education-focused community members. The NJDOE welcomes all constructive insight and input.
Sincerely,
Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
Commissioner of Education