Posted on 07/27/2010 8:54:54 PM PDT by Coleus
A bill that would allow more public schools to offer seats to out-of-district students has passed the Legislature and is awaiting Governor Christie's signature.
The idea for the expanded school choice program was tried out on a pilot basis. While still in the trial stage, it led to the creation of the Academies@Englewood, which drew students from other school districts and was aimed at desegregating Dwight Morrow High School.
But the new legislation is unlikely to have much of an impact in North Jersey where most cash-strapped schools are operating at capacity and officials say they are not in a position to court more students. "How are we going to do more with less money?" said Michael Kuchar, superintendent of schools in Bergenfield. The pilot program was small, affecting about 900 students in 15 schools statewide. It was limited to one school per county, but not all counties participated.
The Academies@Englewood has about 240 students, said Englewood schools Superintendent Richard Segall. But most programs were substantially smaller. In Passaic County, Manchester Regional High School accepted just five out-of-district students annually for a technology program it hosted.
Passaic County Superintendent Robert Gilmartin said he knows of no other districts in the county that are interested in participating in the expanded program. In Bergen, Englewood is considering opening a magnet program in world languages and a dual language program on the elementary level, Segall said. During the pilot phase, state money paid for the receiving district to accept non-resident students but the student's home district paid any added transportation costs.
Another school-choice bill that would provide scholarships to children to attend private school is having a tough time getting legislative approval. School-choice programs generally have more applicants than they can accommodate. David Sciarra of the Education Law Center said regional magnet schools also are a good way to improve socioeconomic and racial integration.
There is already is SCHOOL CHOICE for a few districts and it is working beautifully.
Quit xcrewing around, offer SCHOOL CHOICE to everyone!
“David Sciarra of the Education Law Center said regional magnet schools also are a good way to improve socioeconomic and racial integration.”
It’s NOT ABOUT what people LOOK LIKE or the economics of the parent(s). It’s about KIDS who have crappy scool ditricts and others who want CHOICE!
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