Catherine Carrera
Bureau Chief, Chalkbeat Newark
Catherine Carrera is Chalkbeat Newark’s first Bureau Chief. Catherine previously covered K-12 education on Long Island for Newsday. Before that, she was a reporter at The Record/NorthJersey.com, covering New Jersey’s higher education landscape. She also served as a statehouse reporter and local news reporter during her time at The Record. Catherine, a New Jersey native, is a graduate of Rutgers University. She earned a certificate teaching English to speakers of other languages and had a stint as a TESOL teacher in India.
Superintendent Roger León said it is not “humanly” possible to make changes to this year’s academic calendar.
From a pool of eight candidates, voters will need to select three on April 25 and vote to approve or deny the district’s $1.3 billion budget that calls for no property tax increase next year.
We want your input in our voter guide for the Newark school board election in April. Send us your questions by March 30.
An 11% boost for a district that relies more heavily on state aid compared with wealthier communities.
The proposed budget includes a historic $832 million increase in state aid.
Achieve Community and People’s Prep charter schools will consolidate for next school year. North Star Academy and LINK Community charter schools can increase enrollment.
An attempt by board member Crystal Williams to halt the extension of Roger Leon’s contract to 2028 drew no support from other board members.
León’s contract renewal was reportedly done in secret, without public notice or discussion.
A recap of Newark’s top education issues of the year.
The Newark Teachers Union wants the school district to include “per diem” employees in the $1,000 bonus for full-time employees.
Across student groups statewide, math scores took a greater hit than literacy scores between 2019 and 2022.
Sheyla Riaz says mental health support in schools is just as crucial as having academic resources available for students.
It could take months before union members see back pay or sick days reinstated, one union leader said.
School counselors say they see a spike in anxiety and depression, but there’s hope in less stigma in schools around seeking help.
The charter schools will join a new enrollment platform funded in large part by the New Jersey Children’s Foundation, a charter-aligned nonprofit in Newark.
Newark officials found some school water fountains to be inoperable after testing them for lead. District officials said they will bring in touchless water fountains to schools.
New Jersey fourth and eighth grade scores dropped on NAEP math and reading tests. The scores offer a comprehensive look at how students in the Garden State are doing after the pandemic.
Newark school officials say all schools have water fountains in operation. But some tell us they still don’t see water fountains back on in their schools. Help us investigate this.
Our text updates will highlight major school board news and how it affects 38,000 students.
Newark students can stop wearing their face masks on Monday due to advice from the city’s health department, the district announced.
New Jersey’s Black, Latinx students face shrinking access to school mental health staff, report says
The report’s author suggests a long-term funding solution is needed as federal COVID relief funds offer only a short-term remedy.
While most New Jersey school districts, large and small, end face mask rules, Newark will keep a mandate in place for the start of the 2022-23 school year.
Newark will introduce a new student identification system and hire more security guards as the state digital mapping initiative gets underway.
A severe water main break led to families experiencing little to no water in their homes and schools to cancel services to students.
Advocates urge state lawmakers to address the shortage of mental health care providers.
Some families are scrambling to pay unexpected costs, and worry about where their children will go to school next year, after the state closed University Heights Charter School.
The Newark school board approved the 10 promotions in June.
Jessica Tavares says students are more willing to try their best when they can be themselves.
Under new guidance, teachers and attendance monitors can provide the causes for absences, including crisis or bereavement.
Superintendent Roger León said the recommended changes seek to educate, not punish students.