Expert Q&A – New Jersey Public Education

Seeking the right education is of paramount importance in today’s world. As a New Jersey local auto dealer, Nutley Kia understands this is one of the most important topic many parents desperate to learn more about. Some of our customers have shown their concern about the New Jersey public education system. That’s why we decide to invite an expert to chat a little bit about this topic and help our local customers have a better understanding of the education system of where we live. The significance of receiving public education by putting resources where the beliefs are has been highlighted in our interview with Mr. Steve Wollmer, the Communications Director for New Jersey Education Association. Take a look to learn more information for your children.

Can you briefly tell us who you are?

I’m Steve Wollmer, Communications Director for NJEA.

 

What is the main mission of NJEA?

The main mission of NJEA, from our mission statement, is: “The mission of the New Jersey Education Association is to advance and protect the rights, benefits, and interests of members, and promote a quality system of public education for all students.”

 

How do you evaluate the effectiveness of NJ government policies towards education?

I think the best way to evaluate the effectiveness of policies toward education is whether they truly improve student achievement. If they do not, they are at best a diversion, and at worst, destructive of the learning experience.

 

What is the major educational issue for students you’ve seen in New Jersey education system?

I think the major issue we are facing right now is the over-emphasis on high-stakes standardized tests. They take up too much time, do not truly measure student achievement, do not take into account the differences between students, and force a narrowing of the curriculum to tested subjects. They are destroying the dynamic between teachers and their students that allows for more open, broad discussion of concepts, issues, and events. Parents agree, by the way: over 50,000 students opted out of this past year’s PARCC tests after their parents decided to have them do so.

 

Bullying is still a serious question among all the schools in NJ. Can you provide some tips to preventing bullying?

Regarding bullying, here’s a great piece on the new law:

http://www.njea.org/news-and-publications/njea-review/september-2011/anti-bullying-law and here’s another page from our website regarding anti-bullying resources: http://www.njea.org/news-and-publications/njea-review/september-2011/anti-bullying-law/anti-bullying-resources

 

For economically underprivileged students, does NJEA provide any resource or assistance for them to pursue higher level of education?

Disadvantaged students live in every district, but are more concentrated in our urban districts. They face challenges that their suburban counterparts do not, including, but not limited to: poverty, lack of education, abuse, addiction (alcohol, drugs), homelessness, crime, and so on. The impact of these challenges on a child’s ability to learn cannot be understated. In fact, 7 out of 10 factors affecting student achievement occur outside the school — in the home, on the streets, in the community, etc. We have put enormous resources into more than a dozen “Priority Schools” in New Jersey, and will be expanding that number in the year to come. These are schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods, in which we place both financial and human resources to bring parents into the schools, enrich the curriculum, and provide the ancillary services that disadvantaged students need to succeed. Our “Priority Schools” program has been an enormous success, which is why we are expanding it. It’s a classic case of NJEA putting its resources into programs that benefit all students.

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of public schools in New Jersey?

New Jersey’s public schools are among the very best in the nation, always ranking at or near the top in key areas. Our students achieve at the highest levels, and do so locally, nationally, and internationally. Students who are attending schools in districts that do not have adequate resources — either for school programs or safe, modern facilities — are struggling with issues that most students do not. But our public schools do a great job. Don’t believe me. Check these documented facts: http://www.njea.org/about/who-we-are/good-news

 

Anything else you want to add?

Despite being underfunded by the Christie administration to the tune of over $6 BILLION dollars in the past six years (based on what they should be receiving under the state school funding formula), our public schools do a remarkable job. They should be supported, and not privatized, which unfortunately seems to be the priority of the administration. Public education in New Jersey is a major economic engine for the state, and it should be treated as the valuable asset that it is.

 

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