Contact:
Devin Boyle | 202.445.0416 | devin@dfer.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Democrats for Education Reform Supports Bold Action to Change the Course of Camden Public Schools to Better Serve Students
Newark, NJ, March 26, 2013 – Democrats for Education Reform New Jersey (DFER NJ) State Director Kathleen Nugent released the following statement on Governor Christie’s announcement of the state’s pending takeover of Camden Public Schools:
“For too long, the children and parents of the city of Camden have been deprived of access to high-quality public education. When 90 percent of district schools are among the bottom 5 percent performance-wise in the state and less than half of the students graduate from high school, leadership must take responsibility for this serious situation and initiate bold action to reverse these devastating statistics that are far too real for families trapped in failing schools year after year.
“We recognize the New Jersey Department of Education and the local and statewide leaders from both sides of the aisle who came together in acknowledgement that Camden’s students do not have the luxury of time to wait for the system to reform itself. The bipartisan support in New Jersey to bring an end to the pervasive achievement gap is a reflection of true leadership on behalf of Camden’s future – its children.
“Changing a system that has consistently functioned one way for decades is difficult and substantial work. We join parents, teachers, administrators, advocates, concerned citizens and our elected officials in working toward the day when every child in Camden, across New Jersey, and throughout our country has access to a high-quality public school. Achieving our goal will take courage and conviction, the bridging of resources across communities, schools, and cities, and an unyielding commitment to great public education for all.”
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View the PDF here.