The research found special education costs over $3.3 billion dollars a year in New Jersey, with local school districts supporting 57 percent of the costs, state funds covering approximately 34 percent, and the federal government paying for the remaining 9 percent. The research found the major cost drivers are tuition and transportation for out-of-district placement – with out-of-district placements accounting for 10 percent of the special education population, but making up 40 percent of special education costs.
Carl Golden, in an editorial in the Star-Ledger, notes that, regarding far-reaching education reform, NJEA and Gov. Christie have both become “slightly more conciliatory.” He praises both sides and notes,
Opposition to the proposed virtual charter school in Teaneck is heating up (The Record). And charter school opponents are planning a rally in Trenton on Friday called Occupy NJDOE. Ray Pinney of NJSBA's Board Blog considers the issues.Better to be seen as a part of the solution than be demonized as the source of the problem.
It is a tacit recognition that [NJEA’s] political clout has diminished somewhat and working to shape the legislation more in line with its desires is a prudent and potentially successful course rather than a pitched battle with a Chief Executive who relishes swapping haymakers with opponents.
When the former House Speaker gave a lecture at Harvard last month, calling child labor laws “truly stupid” and suggesting that low-income kids should be required to do some manual labor in their schools, it was a classic Gingrich proposal: over-the-top, totally tone-deaf, and way too broad in scope. But it also was not entirely wrong. Although his specifics are often bewildering, it’s hard to deny that Gingrich has a knack for spotting trends in education.