Many of my friends and family know that the charter school my children attend has been denied renewal by the New Jersey Department of Education. The main reason cited for non-renewal is low ASK (standardized test) scores in comparison with the state and our sending district. While I personally dispute the validity of two years of data (ASK doesn't start until 3rd grade), I agree the test results are dismal and regardless of an appeal, my soon to be 6th grader needs a different school since our current charter is only through 5th grade, and even if we miraculously win the appeal process, there will not be a 6th grade.
So, in the great state of New Jersey, after carefully reviewing the charter renewal and deeming the school ineligible to renew due to low scores and lack of leadership, one might assume then that the GREAT state of New Jersey along with the Commissioner of Education Chris Cerf or at least someone in the vast wasteland of the New Jersey Department of Education might have some plan in place to help the families/parents/guardians of 480 (yes four-hundred eighty) students find their way into a school, or provide a guideline for how the over burdened, under performing, over crowded sending district might integrate 480 students, about 80 in each grade from 1-6th for the upcoming school year. If one made that assumption, s/he would be WRONG.
For the past week, I have been emailing, calling, facebooking and reaching out to Chris Cerf, his office, the governor, the director of Inter District Choice and the department of Charter Schools. I have gotten NO RESPONSE from Chris Cerf, Chris Christie, anyone in any level of authority except for the director of Interdistrict Choice Jessani Gordon who assured me, at 3:00 3/11/2013 that there was a plan of action in place in regard to CHOICE schools and how they will work with our families to find places for our children. She advised that this information would be sent to the TIFECS administration before close of business on 3/11. Taking her at her word (since she actually answered her phone when I called) I followed up with the TIFECS offices this morning, and NOTHING. Another round of calls, and the same person advised another parent that the information would be coming out today.
What amazes me is that the DOE claims our school lacks leadership and direction, which I actually agree with; however, here is a governmental body that holds sway over the educational potential for ALL of our children in NJ (not just mine, not just TIFECS' but ALL of our children) and they can't even find the time to give guidance to the people they just ripped a charter out from under.
REALLY? I am fairly certain each of the people who work in the departments at the NJ DOE make a healthy salary...I am certain that they have full benefits and their children have a place to go to school next year. Why is it OK for them to not give us, parents, families, VOTERS, a clear path for our children? I feel like they have taken us out of a safe, warm place that we know and are just letting us hang there to punish us, proving that we should have never chosen a charter school to begin with, and if we were to have the opportunity, each of us would think twice because this is what happens when good schools turn bad. Governor Christie likes to say that he is a Charter School advocate.... maybe he should put his money where his mouth is and help US find our way....because the people running the NJ Department of Education don't have any insight or even any correct information to provide. How scary that an entity such as the DOE has lost all credibility in my opinion...makes me VERY happy to have my children enter back into the fray.
(as an aside, we are still fighting to request an appeal of the decision. Please support our school by signing our petition
Another case in point to the disorganization of the NJ DOE - posted on FB by my friend Maria Gaspari, TIFECS parent: I finally spoke to the charter office in Trenton, where I was told would have info on choice seats opening for our kids. I was just told they don't know what I am talking about or why I am calling their office. They have NOTHING to do with choice schools! I explained how we, the parents are being passed around from department to department, to pass the buck and put the situation on someone else. I basically begged for her to give me some kind of information to work with. I was put on hold and when she got back on, she told me that the choice school division was working on something. However, they don't know if it is even POSSIBLE for them to do anything!!!! I was told to call the choice office in 2-3 WEEKS!!! Are you kidding me right now???!!!
ReplyDeleteI have a little girl who asks me everyday where she is going to school next year! I have no answers for her! I feel helpless as a mother and the fact that I can not ease my child's fears is not sitting well with me! I am doing everything I can to figure out a plan. But NO ONE in a position of power or leadership are giving me anything to work with! This is getting more ridiculous by the day! If anyone in administration or with any knowledge of what's what is reading this, PLEASE, give us very concerned, worried and frustrated parents,SOMETHING to work with and understand what is going on! Thank you