Meeting the Minimum Requirements

A report released by the New Jersey Department of Education this week brings light to the growing number of school districts that are in need of improvement. Statewide, in New Jersey, 209 schools and 18 entire school districts were added to the state's already-vast list of schools in need of improvement. Every state has such a list - it is mandated by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Overall New Jersey, 657 schools and 57 school districts are considered "in need of improvement" by the DOE. To be considered "in need of improvement" at least one group of students did not meet the required passing rate on state tests for two or more years in a row.

Moreover, the New Jersey "in need of improvement" list represents a growing (and scary) trend nation-wide. Schools are not meeting minimum federal requirements. As these schools continue to earn their place on "in need of improvement" lists, they engulf themselves in paperwork. Schools and districts on the lists are required to complete needs assessments and to establish corrective action plans.

With politicians promising improvements to federal education policies, many are left to wonder: will education reform help our failing school systems?

Photo Credit: Paul Stein