Schools

It's Slow Going on Education Policy as Action Stalls Before Election

Not much is moving forward as New Jersey enters stretch of busy election season

By John Mooney, Courtesy of NJ Spotlight

A state Board of Education meeting with virtually no agenda. Charter-school approvals that go unannounced. A slew of expected reports and initiatives that suddenly take a bit longer than anticipated.

Election season is nearing the finish line, and the slow pace of state education policy is certainly a reflection.

Departments often go through their quiet times during political seasons to avoid doing anything newsworthy. State agencies missing deadlines is hardly new in any season.

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But with Gov. Chris Christie at the top of the ballot in less than a month, his state Department of Education has gotten quieter than most in the final weeks before the gubernatorial and legislative elections.

The state Board of Education’s monthly meeting in October was one of the first signs, with literally no agenda beyond announcing the state’s Teacher of the Year. That was despite a host of controversial and not-so-controversial regulations pending before the board.

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Read more at NJSpotlight.com

NJ Spotlight is an issue-driven news website that provides critical insight to New Jersey’s communities and businesses. It is non-partisan, independent, policy-centered and community-minded.


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