Politics & Government
NJ Spotlight on Charter Schools: Fine Print: Assembly Bill 3356
Proposed measure would tighten many of the accountability requirements for charter schools, including rules governing enrollment
Editor's Note: Senator Richard Codey and Assemblywoman Mila Jasey plan to attend a rally on Tuesday night sponsored by The group plans three simultaneous rallies to press for passage of charter school reform. This bill, according to NJ Spotlight, has the best chance of passing.
Fine Print: Assembly Bill 3356
Primary sponsors: Assemblyman Albert Coutinho and Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, both Democrats from Essex County.
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Summary: The bill would strengthen many of the accountability requirements for charter schools, including new rules for student enrollment and selection and for the review and revocation of charters.
What it means: After all of this spring’s talk in Trenton about the pros and cons of charter schools, this Assembly bill probably has the best chance to actually pass before the end of the current legislative session. There are no guarantees, by a long shot. But compared with bills that either would significantly limit charter schools or would free them, this bill seeks mostly to add regulations that likely face the least resistance.
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What it would do: The bill has many features, but the most significant changes center on the issue of who attends charter schools and how the schools are held accountable for that enrollment. The bill would also subject charter schools to possible funding reductions if a local district’s budget is rejected. It also calls for monitoring procedures similar to those faced by local districts.
Continue reading this story at NJ Spotlight.
NJ Spotlight, 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.
Related LinksJohn Mooney is the founding editor, education writer. He has covered education in New Jersey for 15 years as a reporter for The Newark Star-Ledger and The Bergen Record and recently as a contributing writer for The New York Times. He has won numerous state and national awards, including honors from the Education Writers Association and the American Society of News Editors. John also has spoken at conferences and other events regarding school issues facing New Jersey and the role of education journalism. He lives in Montclair.
Original Post: Fine Print: Assembly Bill 3356 June 20, 2011.
