Two roads to school reform have diverged in New Jersey and Dr. Julia Sass Rubin of Rutgers University’s Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy isn’t thrilled with the choice.
“Personally, I don’t like either approach,” said Rubin on the latest edition of The Backgrounder Podcast. “I don’t think we need either.”
In recent weeks, Gov. Chris Christie has been touting his “fairness formula,” which would provide flat funding of $6,599 for each individual student’s education. Meanwhile, State Senate President Steve Sweeney, who is scheduled to hold the latest in a series of public forums on education in Trenton today, wants to amend the state’s 2008 School Funding Reform Act to provide more equitable school funding.
Rubin says neither proposal makes the grade.
What’s wrong with the two plans? How should we be going about reforming schools in New Jersey?
Rubin answers these questions and she gives her thoughts about charter schools and their effect on the education of students who don’t attend them. She also explains the mission of Save Our Schools NJ, the all-volunteer organization she helped found that is aimed at making sure parents’ voices are heard as educational policy is made in New Jersey.
You can hear the entire interview by clicking on the orange play button at the top of this page.
NJ.com, July 11 (includes Podcast from The Backgrounder)