Althea D. Ford, Vice President of Government Affairs for the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), emphasized the significance of public charter schools in New Jersey during a Senate Education Committee hearing. According to Ford, these schools are crucial for offering diverse educational opportunities and equipping employers with a skilled workforce.
"Charter schools are an important part of the array of educational settings that can provide students and families with an experience that best meets their academic and social needs," Ford stated in her prepared remarks to the committee.
Ford highlighted that businesses contribute significantly to public education as taxpayers. "A well-educated workforce is a competitive workforce," she said. She also noted that charter schools foster future entrepreneurs and leaders who reflect New Jersey's diversity and economic drive by providing varied educational options.
The committee meeting, led by Sen. Vin Gopal (D-11), focused on evaluating the Charter School Program Act of 1995, which allows charter schools to operate independently from local school boards. This act was initially intended to increase educational choices for parents and improve learning outcomes, particularly in urban areas.
Ford referred to recent data from the state Department of Education's 2024 New Jersey Student Learning Assessment scores showing improvements in English Language Arts and math among charter school students, with significant gains among Black, Latino, and economically disadvantaged groups.
"It is important that recommended updates to the Charter School Program Act do not hamper the flexibility of these schools," Ford remarked, stressing that this adaptability leads to student growth and success.
She explained how charter schools promote innovation by offering alternatives to traditional public education systems. "This innovation creates healthy disruption and competition amongst schools," she said.
Ford illustrated how specialization within charter schools could transform them into hubs focusing on specific interests like arts or STEM fields, thereby enhancing community partnerships with industries. She advocated for adequate resources for the Department of Education to enforce laws effectively, ensuring they meet legislative expectations.
Ford concluded by underscoring transparency in fund distribution as vital for accountability. "Transparency concerning the distribution and use of public funds is important," she noted, supporting a recommendation from the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association to publicly post charter school budgets as a step toward accountability.
