NJ Spotlight published the following article on February 4, 2014. To read the full article, click here.
AGENDA: STATE BOARD TO REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO COMMON CORE
JOHN MOONEY | FEBRUARY 4, 2014
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: New Jersey Department of Education, 1st floor conference room, 100 River View Plaza, Trenton
What they are doing: After holding a meeting off-site last month to hear from the superintendents of state-operated districts, the state board is back in Trenton with a full agenda of presentations to hear and regulations to vote on.
One notable resolution will have the board reaffirming its support of the Common Core State Standards, the national benchmark the board adopted in 2010 and which has since been the subject of considerable debate.
The board will also hear from state Education Commissioner Chris Cerf and his staff on some recent rollouts on new performance reports for schools and teachers.
Common Core: The board adopted the Common Core State Standards without much fanfare at a time when there was little debate about the new standards.
But the standards, adopted by more than 40 states, have since become a rallying point for those opposed to the strictures they place on schools and the expanded testing that will start next year.
The Christie administration has remained steadfast in its support of the Common Core and the state board is expected to again give its full backing with the new resolution.