New Jersey Case Preview
March 25, 2016
State Takeover and Strategic Planning I
This case experience highlights the leadership challenge of strategic planning within the context of an urban school district undergoing a multi-year strategic planning process tightly controlled by state actors. This simulation experience is set within the context of Camden, NJ, and participants begin the learning experience by considering video footage from incidents relating the recent state takeover of Camden Public Schools. This colloquium and multimedia case experience leverages various media and technology to immerse you in the learning process. The purpose of this learning experience is to empower and prepare you as leaders for the dynamic challenges of the urban education leadership role.
The first video focuses on Governor Chris Christie’s announcement of the state’s takeover of Camden City schools in March, 2013. In the video, Governor Christie focuses on the need to address Camden Schools’ low performance and emphasizes the need for new transformational leadership.
VIDEO 1: Christie Announces State Takeover of Camden City Schools [YouTube Link]
This second video includes footage relating of a community rally one year later where parents, students, and other activists outline the issues from their perspective in relation to the state takeover and low performance of the school district.
VIDEO 2: Camden City Public School Community Rally May 22, 2014 [YouTube Link]
Charter School Controversy
New Jersey was the first state to enact takeover laws in 1987, but it was not until 2013 that the state acted in Camden. Governor Christie argued that the state had a moral imperative to act given that 23 of Camden’s 26 schools were performing in the lowest 5% of schools statewide, the graduation rate hovering at 50%, and the long-standing budget issues faced by the school district. Under the state’s takeover plan, the school board remains but limited to an advisory role with the state assuming all decision-making authority. The superintendent reports directly to the State Education Commissioner, rather than the school board, and many positions at central office were abolished as the state reorganized the district. Yet, one of the most controversial decisions made by the state and state-appointed district leaders involved the expansion of contracts with Charter School networks, such as KIPP and Mastery Charter Schools.
Review the two videos below. The first is a promotional video from one of the elementary charter schools in Camden City Schools released in September 2015. The second video relates to parent and teacher’s concerns relating to the rise in charter schools in the district.
VIDEO 3: Mastery Charter Schools of Camden [YouTube Link]
VIDEO 4: NJEA Challenges Creation of New Camden Charter Schools [YouTube Link]
Registered participants will begin their collaborative multimedia case experience at Teachers College Columbia University on February 25, 2016 (4-7 pm) in Zankel Building 212C. [Event Map]
The simulation experience takes the real urban district context as the starting point for participants’ learning experiences. If you are interested in attending any of our colloquium and multimedia case experience sessions this spring hosted by the Urban Education Leaders Collaborative at Teachers College Columbia University, please register for tickets.
Colloquium sessions in this series will be held on:
- Friday, March 25 – State Takeover & Strategic Planning I
- Friday, April 29 – Strategic Planning for Equity
- Friday, May 20 – Leadership for College & Career Readiness
- Friday, June 10 – Leadership for Teacher Retention
Image credit: NJ Politicker politickernj.com
