SCHOOL BOARDS AFFECT THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION

School board election's will be held on April 20, 2004. We should all know by now that there is an upcoming election because of the articles in the newspapers, as well as campaign signs along the roads. No one should make light of the importance of school board elections. School board members play a very important role in educating our children. Many may think that our Mayor and Council determine what our local property tax bills are. In reality it is those elected to the school board of education that determine 45-60 % of our local property tax bills.

The school boards can also affect the quality of education. Nearly all fourth, eighth, and 11th grade classes in Monmouth County passed the state’s latest round of standardized tests. However, reading and writing scores were poor among fourth and eighth graders. These tests are reflective of exams that will be required of all of New Jersey’s students starting in the 2005-2006 school year. The federal No Child Left Behind laws are supposed to help identify weaknesses in a school’s curricula. These exams are projected to ensure that. Boards that are committed can ensure that the areas that are lagging are improved upon.

School boards elections can also encourage parents to get involved in their children’s education. Simply by participating in the election, and being informed as to each candidates credentials and ideas for improvement, can help parents use the best strategy when voting. Research suggests that there is a direct correlation between student achievement and family income. This can also help parents to track how their children are doing in school, and to see if they agree that the way the school board is spending the budget is indeed improving education, as property taxes go up for education, the school boards need to be held responsible. For more information on the standing of your local schools look up www.app.com/app/report_cards.

The 30 Abbott schools in New Jersey will receiver nearly one-half of all State education funding or $3 billion annually. The other half is spread among the remaining 500 plus school districts. The Abbott schools do have the most challenging education challenges. The New Jersey Supreme Court has ordered that Abbott school funding continue to increase more than any other districts in the State. Unfortunately, those same 30 Abbott schools continue to perform worse than any other schools. More than 60 percent of the eighth graders failed the math section of standardized tests. The Supreme Court’s goals are not being answered by simply throwing the money to these districts. While these students are constitutionally guaranteed a “thorough and efficient” education, apparently the constitutional mandate needs to be revamped. More equitable distribution of education aid is needed. Since Governor McGreevey has “flat funded’ education aid for the last two years, local property taxes have skyrocketed. For more information on Abbot school performance look up www.app.com/app/report_cards.