An Update on the New Jersey Story

In Chapter 12 of America’s Schools at a Turning Point:  And how we THE PEOPLE can help shape their future, I chronicled the story of why a good-faith attempt by New Jersey’s most popular and powerful political leaders to impose an education reform initiative upon Newark’s underperforming public schools ultimately failed.  The lesson to be learned from what occurred there is a lesson that I’ve learned over and over again throughout my career.  And it is that the voice of the American people needs to be included when making major decisions that impact our public schools and the communities they serve.  This weekend, an update on the New Jersey story appeared in the book review section of the New York Times.  It is worth reading.