New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the nation, with the exception of the District of Columbia. Its 1.3 million students constitute nearly one-third of the Mid-atlantic Region's students. It has 2,298 schools and 616 districts.
New Jersey's three largest districts are Newark (with 43,000 students), Jersey City (31,000), and Paterson (about 26,000), all of which are located just outside of New York City. A 1998 state Supreme Court decision (Abbott vs. Burke V) led to state takeover of three low-performing districts and the creation of a broad-based educational reform in thirty high-poverty urban districts known as the Abbott Districts.
Eight percent of New Jersey's students (about 100,000) attend rural schools, many of which are very small. Enrollment for the smallest districts ranges from only 33 to 71 students.
Key Resources at NJ Department of Education (NJDOE)
NJDOE main website
New Jersey reference for No Child Left Behind
NJ academic and professional standards
NJ office of Title I
NJ district improvement initiative (NJ QSAC)
MACC NJ Project Highlights
Since 2007, MACC has been working with the New Jersey Student Achievement and Accountability Office to support schools in Corrective Action and Restructuring. In 2008, MACC assisted NJDOE with conducting case studies of former Corrective Action schools that established effective school practices and made significant gains in student achievement. The case studies of these schools are being used to build NJDOE’s capacity to provide technical assistance to schools in Restructuring.
MACC has begun a project with NJDOE staff in reviewing and refining the various district improvement plans required by the state. This project is intended to assist NJDOE with integrating the district plans to support systemic change in districts. The project will also help NJDOE determine its role in supporting districts in assessing their needs and implementing strategies to improve student achievement.
For more information about MACC's work in New Jersey please contact Ryan Tyler at rtyler@ceee.gwu.edu.