Catalyzing ReformPresenting TeamBret Schundler CommissionerAndy Smarick Deputy Commissioner Willa Spicer Assistant CommissionerRochelle Hendricks Assistant Commissioner Dan Gohl Newark Public Schools

On behalf of our Governor, Legislature, Schools, and 1.4 million children

Why choose New Jersey?

• Uniquely poised to fully deliver reforms• Immediate impact with 70% of our

1.4 million students• Impact magnified by other aspects of

our comprehensive reform agenda• Reforms will be permanent

We are uniquely positioned to implement reform• Favorable laws and regulations• Deep and stable political support• Buy-in from critical stakeholders and

grassroots organizations• Strong state, county, and local district

capacity to manage the reform

Transforming instruction via standards, curriculum, tools

• Clear expectations• Classroom focus• Curriculum &

Assessment Spine• Actionable data

R e d a c t e

d

Instructional improvement tools

Teachers and leaders:Revolutionizing the profession• Long history of alternative pathways

– Serving areas of high need– Contributing significantly to teaching force

• Student growth as 50% of evaluations– Educational Effectiveness Evaluation Committee

• Evaluations drive crucial personnel decisions– Professional Development – New opportunities – Compensation: “Closing the Gap,” “All Students Advancing,”

“Answering the Call” bonuses – Removal of persistently underperforming teachers

Teachers and leaders:Revolutionizing the profession

• Additional highlights (D)(3) – (D)(5)– Expanding virtual schooling to extend the reach of highly

effective teachers– Measuring the effectiveness of preparation programs and

expanding those succeeding

The “New Schools Strategy”

• How do we ensure children have access to vastly improved opportunities?

• Two parallel tracks– Improve existing schools– Create new, high-performing schools

• Success of new starts: New Jersey & beyond

The “New Schools Strategy”

• Charter Schools– Strong law– NJ DOE is an authorizer– Three pronged expansion strategy:

• Expand and replicate• Add new local operators• Recruit high-quality national operators

– Great success already

The “New Schools Strategy”

• Achievement Academies– Highly effective Master Teachers lead the Academies– Building blocks of success– Linking educators’ strengths and student needs

R e d a c t e

d

New life for low performing schools • School Improvement Grants are underway, RTTT will

catalyze expansion• Needs Assessment Teams determine root causes of low

performance• Support teachers:

– “Answering the Call” bonuses – 15% more instructional time– 5% more professional development time

• Turnaround program linked to evaluation system• Partnership with Harlem Children’s Zone

Newark: where the rubber meets the road

• Educators operate and design schools• Partnerships of higher education, philanthropy,

business and community create high quality educational outcomes

• STEM and the arts connect education and economic development

• NJ LEAs are prepared to innovate with the NJ DOE

We are ready and committed

• Our reform plan is systemic, scalable, and sustainable• We will make student learning the yardstick for

everything we do in our schools• We have the fertile ground, political will, and broad

support to deliver reform• We are committed to social justice: providing a

thorough education to every child R e d a c t e

d