March 4, 2017
This special announcement will provide you with up-to-date information on pertinent educational issues that are part of the State Board's agenda.
Eyes on the NJ State Board of Education
Meeting Date: March 1, 2017
Commissioner's Report
Data Security and Privacy Overview
NJDOE informed the State Board of the Department's legal requirement to collect and store student and educator records. Its Data Governance Program provides an organizational approach to data and information management through a system of decision rights, accountabilities, and processes that help ensure the appropriate access, awareness, and accuracy of the data.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Update
Representatives of the Department noted stakeholder feedback will continue to be essential as the NJDOE prepares to submit the New Jersey ESSA State Plan by April 3, 2017, and to refine the state's policies over time. NJDOE will maintain engaging parents, educators, and students in thoughtful conversations, particularly around how they can continually improve the way the NJDOE identifies and supports schools and districts in need of improvement.
State Board Action
NJDOE Organization Chart
The State Board approved the following title changes: John Worthington, Director, Office of Special Education Policies and Procedures and Lorelei Drew Novela, Director, Office of Special Education Professional Development. The Department's organizational chart indicates the two boxes and also the addition of the Deputy Chief Academic Officer/Post-Secondary Readiness/Partnerships and the deletion of the Office of Teaching and Learning Support and Fiscal Accountability.
State Board Adoptions Headed to NJ Register
Regulatory Flexibility and Relief Package - Division of Talent and Performance and Division of Field Services
The State Board adopted the amendments proposed at N.J.A.C. 6A:3, 6A:9, 6A:11, and 6A:32, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:4-15. The amendments are part of the Department's mission to allow school districts to focus on better serving and educating New Jersey students. NJDOE anticipates April 3, 2017 as an effective date and publication date of these adopted amendments in the NJ Register.
Controversies and Disputes - Division of Legal & External Affairs
The State Board approved for publication in the NJ Register the readoption with amendments of the Controversies and Disputes regulations at N.J.A.C. 6A:3-1.1 et seq., pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:4-15, 18A:6-9, 18A:6-10 et seq., 18A:7G-12, 18A:11-3, 18A:12-29, 18A:29-14, 18A:38-1, 18A:38-13 and 18A:60-1. This chapter sets forth the rules of procedure established by NJDOE for the filing of petitions with the Commissioner to hear and decide controversies and disputes arising under school laws in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:6-9. The chapter also establishes special rules of procedure for specific types of controversies in accordance with the requirements of the following statutes: 1) the filing of tenure charges pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:6-10 et seq.; 2) the termination of sending-receiving relationships pursuant to 18A:38-13; 3) appeals from decisions of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:11-3; 4) denials of entitlement to attend school pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:38-1; 5) review of penalties recommended by the School Ethics Commission pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:12-29; and 6) hearings prior to suspension or revocation of school bus driver endorsements pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:39-28 et seq.
State Board Resolutions
The State Board adopted the establishment of a new passing score for the WPT for Teacher of Bilingual/Bicultural Education pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.14 and N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-11.5(a)2i1.
RESOLVED, that the State Board of Education hereby supports the Department's proposal that candidates for Teacher of Bilingual and Bicultural Education meet either qualifying scores on the WPT of "Advanced Low" for the English language and of "Intermediate High" for the target language, or that candidates meet qualifying scores on the WPT of "Intermediate High" for the English language and of "Advanced Low" for the target language.
Support Social and Emotional Learning Competencies - Division of Learning Supports and Specialized Services
NJDOE Assistant Commissioner Division of Learning Supports and Specialized Services
Susan Martz and staff presented a discussion resolution
to encourage school district implementation of the New Jersey Social and Emotional Learning Competencies to promote positive school climates, regular attendance, and academic achievement in all subject areas and across all grade levels to prepare students for post-secondary success. Visit the NJDOE's web section on this topic. You can email written comments regarding the competencies to stateboardoffice@doe.state.nj.us or send an email to that address if you want to register for public testimony on April 5, 2017.
Religious Holidays Calendars - Division of Field Services
The State Board amended the resolution pertaining to the annual calendar of religious holidays to include Jonah's Passover (Eastern Orthodox Church) and Last Friday of The Great Lent (Eastern Orthodox Church) as established at N.J.A.C. 6A:32-8.3(j), pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:36-14-16.
2017-2018 School Year
The State Board discussed the resolution pertaining to the annual calendar of religious holidays for the 2017-2018 school year as established at N.J.A.C. 6A:32-8.3(j), pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:36-14-16.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at
agallagher@njasa.net
or 609-599-2900, ext. 126.
Sincerely,
Anne H. Gallagher
NJASA Director of Communications
|
|
