Special ed regulations still on the move!

Over the past few weeks, there have been many rumors suggesting that the proposed changes to special education regulations have been put on hold.  NJEA and other special education stakeholders have NO confirmation that this information is true.  The special education regulations are not on the agenda for the June State Board of Education meeting, but that does not mean they will not appear in July or August. Read More

May 2013

27

NJ Bus Driver Appreciation Day

June 2013

14

NJEA Executive Committee Meeting

14

NJEA Hipp Coordinators' Training

15

NEA-RA Statewide Caucus

July 2013

1

NEA Convention (Ends 7/6)

INSIGHT & OPINION
NEWS
FOCUS NJEA

Measuring student progress and teacher effectiveness post-Sandy

On The TableThe State of NJ measures the effectiveness and overall “success” of a teacher based, in large part, on his/her students’ scores on the NJASK.  During the week of May 6-13, as I administer the NJASK while also celebrating “Teacher Appreciation Week”, I wanted to share my thoughts and professional observations on the success level of Bay Head School students and teachers. Read More

TestingN.J. teacher evaluation on the wrong track
See why Mendham teacher Bruce Taterka—a member of the 2011-12 NJDOE Evaluation Pilot Advisory Committee—thinks New Jersey is making a big mistake by using test scores to rate teachers. In this April 10 op-ed in the Star-Ledger, Taterka explains that researchers believe test scores could be useful to teachers for self-reflection and professional development, but should not be used for ratings. Read More

NJEA Member Benefits Summer Savings

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Nicole Parlavecchio
Nicole Parlavecchio (seated with award) with school administrators, colleagues and family members.
Photo credit: Suburban News

Nicole Parlavecchio, special education teacher at the Frank K. Hehnly School in Clark, was honored on May 13 at a special state-wide ceremony honoring the eight winners of “Innovations in Special Education” Award. Read More

The NEA Foundation named Jeanne DelColle, an honors world and U.S. history teacher at Burlington County Institute of Technology in Westampton, as a 2013 Pearson Foundation Global Learning Fellow. Read More

Michael Kulesa and Brian Hamer
(l-r) Michael Kulesa and Brian Hamer
Photo credit: New Jersey Herald

Michael Kulesa, Byram Lakes Elementary School physical education teacher, and Brian Hamer, Byram Intermediate School eighth-grade language arts teacher, have been chosen as the Byram recipients of the Governor's Teacher Recognition Award. Read More

Hurricane Sandy Back to School Effort

Other Blogs/Sites

Headline News

EDITORIAL

We are not any smarter than those who have come before us
For the past 25 years, the schools in Union City, New Jersey, have gradually improved and now rival some of the best schools in the state. How did they do it? Improbable Scholars author David Kirp, a professor of public policy who studied the schools for more than a year, concluded that Union City engaged in a process of “plan, do, review.” This systematic approach allowed district officials to select a path forward, implement it, assess its results, and make the necessary adjustments. The administrators, teachers, parents, school board members, and town officials of Union City aren’t smarter than anyone else. But they are far more patient and far less likely to be fooled into adopting a silver-bullet line of attack. Read More

On the Web

PBS LearningMedia is the go-to destination for instant access to tens of thousands of classroom-ready, digital resources including videos, games, audio clips, photos, lesson plans, and more! You can search, save, and share with ease. Best of all, PBS LearningMedia is free for educators. Read More

Media Gallery

Visit the Media Gallery to view photos, videos, and audio files from NJEA's television show, Classroom Close-up, NJ, special events, NJEA's television and radio commercials, and more.

GOOD NEWS

Critics would like the public to believe that New Jersey’s public school system is broken and is failing the students, but here’s the simple truth:  Our public schools work.  In fact, according to a leading annual publication, New Jersey’s public schools are truly the best in the nation. Here are just a few of the latest statistics :

  • High school graduation rate is #1 in the nation 
  • Writing scores are the best in the nation
  • Reading scores are among the best in the nation
  • Math Scores Are Among the Nation's Best
  • Highest AP Scores in the Nation
Read More

Assembly to vote on ESP due process rights bill

On Monday, May 20, the General Assembly will vote on A-3696/S-2163, sponsored by Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera and Senator Ray Lesniak. This due process rights bill would statutorily provide all ESPs the right to binding arbitration for disciplinary matters. If this bill passes on Monday, it will advance to the governor’s desk for his signature. Read More

MORE ISSUES & ACTION

Teacher Leader bill up for a vote on Monday

On Monday, May 20, the General Assembly will be voting on the “Teacher Leader” bill (A-3989), sponsored by Assembly members Jasey, Diegnan, and Wolfe. This bill would create a voluntary teacher leader endorsement which is not attached to any specific titles or positions.  Read More

MORE ISSUES & ACTION

New leadership elected for NJEA

Steinhauer, Blistan, and Spiller prepare to take the reins

Wendell Steinhauer
NJEA members have elected three educators from among their ranks to serve as officers for two-year terms beginning this September. Read More

MORE NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

NJ educator hits bullseye with Pinterest

Josie Smolka and Wendell Steinhauer
As part of NEA’s National Teacher Day celebration, WTEA member Josie Smolka, a fifth grade teacher at Pond Road Middle School in Robbinsville, was one of five educators across the nation recognized for their creativity in using Pinterest to enhance their students’ classroom experience. Read More

MORE NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

Proposed regulations threaten special education quality

DOE plan would harm NJ’s most vulnerable learners

Commissioner Chris Cerf and the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) continue to push for radical revisions of the state’s special education laws.  Educators, parents and special education advocacy organizations who have studied the proposal are sounding the alarm, noting that the changes would harm special education students and make special education teachers’ and guidance counselors’ jobs more difficult. Read More

MORE NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

A song in her heart

Rose Casey
NJEA and BEN-FM have partnered to educate the public about the important role Educational Support Professionals play in our schools and in our communities. This is Rose Casey. She has been working with middle school students with special needs for the 10 years. She loves helping her students learn and grow. Read More

MORE NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

Urge Congress to make public education a priority

NEA Ed Flight
Congress rushed to fix flight delays caused by the sequester, but put tens of thousands of children on standby for Head Start. That's just one example of Congress ignoring the powerless while catching a flight home. Visit nea.org to create your own paper airplane message for Congress. Read More

MORE ISSUES & ACTION

Leadership conference provides training

Summer Leadership Conference
The 2013 NJEA Jack Bertolino Summer Leadership Conference will offer a broad menu of 35 training seminars that equip members to become stronger association advocates. Read More

MORE TEACHING & LEARNING

Teleconference informs, spurs action on proposed special education regulations

Special Education Teleconference
NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Marie Blistan was quick to thank the 929 parents, teachers, education support professionals, and special education advocates who participated in the Association’s first statewide teleconference on April 22. The purpose of the conference was to educate callers on new special education regulations proposed by the New Jersey Department of Education. Read More

MORE NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

Under Chris Christie, NJ keeps falling behind
The numbers don’t lie. Under Governor Chris Christie, New Jersey residents continue to fall behind the rest of America, and things continue to get worse. Here are just a few of the numbers that the Christie administration would rather we not see. Read More

MORE NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

NJEA assures Camden schools:

“You have our undying commitment”

NJEA President Barbara Keshishian issued the following statement in response to this morning’s announcement by the Christie administration that it is taking over the Camden Public Schools: “It is always preferable to have public schools managed by local communities, and the citizens of Camden must be assured that they will continue to have a strong and respected voice in reforming a public school system that meets the needs of all Camden students." Read More

MORE NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

2013 Teacher of the Year

Lauren Marrocco, a fourth-grade teacher in Perth Amboy, is the 2012-13 N.J. Teacher of the Year. Marrocco teaches at E.J. Patten Elementary School where she encourages classroom collaboration while incorporating brain-based learning strategies.

Evaluation Resources

Member Benefits

MEMBER DISCOUNTS

Your NJEA membership card is your ticket to discounts on merchandise, insurance, entertainment, travel, and personal legal services.

ENTER WEB GIVEAWAY

DON'T MISS

Candidates sought for NJEA Internship Program
NJEA is seeking candidates for the Bolivar Graham Internship Program, an opportunity for female and/or ethnic-minority active members of NJEA to work as paid professional staff interns for a three-month period. Up to two interns will be selected to participate in a full-time work experience in a particular division of the NJEA staff during the 2013-14 school year.  Sign in for details and application.

Read More

NJEA REVIEW
The teacher evaluation system, retaining quality teachers and bolstering job satisfaction, keeping students with food alergies safe in school, building the unconference, a preview of the 2013 NJEA Convention, and a look at a book that studies the transformation of the Union City school district and offers a strategy for America's schools. These are just a few of the feature stories you'll find in the May issue of the NJEA Review.

Wear jeans to support the troops
The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) is proud to once again sponsor the GI Go Fund’s Jeans for Troops program which is raising funds to support the GI Go Transition Center for veterans who need assistance with employment, housing, education, and access to health care.

Read More

NJ State Board of Ed Action Items
The State Board of Education is proposing changes to the special education regulations, the teacher evaluation regulations, school nurse certification, and more. This is our opportunity to speak up about how the proposed  changes will affect our students, our profession and our schools.  Find out how you can speak out on these issues.

Read More

SPOTLIGHT

Lorrie Mountainland
Para jobs saved in Franklin Township
As the clock struck 10 p.m. on March 14, Franklin Township Education Association’s (FTEA) paraprofessionals were still listening to the Franklin Township Board of Education debate their fate. For the second time in as many years, the board was considering privatization the 109 members, many of whom are one-on-one aides for the district’s neediest students.

Read More

May is Physical Education and Sport Month
JoAnn Doherty, president of the New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NJAHPERD), accepts a resolution from State Board of Education President Arcelio Aponte at the May 1 State Board meeting. The board proclaimed May to be “National Physical Education and Sport Month.”

Read More

SCHOOL BUZZ

New report demonstrates that socioeconomic inequality skews student test scores
Last month, the Stanford Graduate School of Education and the Economic Policy Institute released a report, “What do international tests really show about American student performance?” demonstrating that socioeconomic inequality among U.S. students skews international comparisons of student test scores.

Read More

INNOVATION IN EDUCATION

OCHS flipped classroom engages students
In Scot Rainear’s mathematics classes at Ocean City High School, the lecturing and note taking take place at home on the computer through a recorded video presentation. When they return to the classroom, it’s time to work on the problems, in groups or, for struggling students, one-on-one instruction time. Known as a “flipped classroom,” the concept turns the traditional classroom upside, and may make “math anxiety” a thing of the past.

Tech Con 2013
TECHCON 2013
Learn strategies for using iPads in the classroom, SMARTBoards, Googledocs for educators, and more at NJEA TechCon 2013! The conference will be held on July 24, 2013 at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in Galloway.

Read More

CLASSROOM CLOSE-UP, NJ

Class Room Close Up

Don't miss NJEAs television show focusing on innovative projects happening in New Jersey public schools. This 30-minute weekly series features the students, teachers, school staff and communities who create and participate in successful school projects and events. Get ideas by searching hundreds of past segments.

Read More