Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Roger Leon

at the bargaining table

Newark
June 21, 2019

With contract about to expire, Newark Teachers Union says new deal with district is ‘very close’

The Newark Teachers Union and the district are negotiating a new contract to replace one that expires this month. Teacher raises and merit pay could be on the line.

'Clarity 2020'

Newark
June 14, 2019

Superintendent León unveils long-awaited plan to build ‘stronger, wiser’ school system

The plan, called NPS Clarity 2020, hints at some specific initiatives while calling for the redesign of nearly every aspect of the school system.

textbook transition

Newark
May 24, 2019

After educators weigh in, Newark schools set to get new textbooks that prioritize diversity

Newark Public Schools educators helped review new English and math textbooks, which will soon be rolled out in schools pending the board's approval.

staffing shakeup

Newark
May 21, 2019

Big staffing changes coming to Newark schools, as top-to-bottom overhaul begins

Superintendent Roger León said he will eliminate certain school administrator positions, while also hiring directors to oversee academics across the district.

'Clarity 2020'

Newark
May 3, 2019

How can Newark’s superintendent improve the city’s schools? Stakeholders weigh in.

Newark residents and school stakeholders offered recommendations for improving the district as the new superintendent prepares to release his master plan.

Newark Enrolls

Newark
April 15, 2019

‘Match letters’ are delayed in Newark as families anxiously await school placements for the fall

Families were supposed to learn Monday what schools their children will attend in the fall, but the notifications were delayed.

'employees without placement sites'

Newark
April 5, 2019

Newark moves to end costly pool of displaced teachers, but some staffers linger in it

Superintendent Roger León said the district saved nearly $6 million by shrinking the pool, but some unassigned employees remain in it.

2019-20 budget

Newark
March 29, 2019

Newark’s traditional schools need more money, officials say, amid rising charter school costs

Newark school officials want voters to approve a 2 percent tax hike and lawmakers to provide more aid to help fund new projects in the district.

Data analysis

Newark
March 27, 2019

Newark schools backtracked in 2018 on several measures, halting years of progress

Newark Public Schools backtracked on several measures last year, including the graduation rate, absenteeism rate, and college-readiness scores.

Counselor Comeback

Newark
February 20, 2019

Years after laying them off, Newark brings back attendance workers to track down absent students

More than 40 new attendance counselors and truancy officers will soon be tracking down absent students in Newark.

high stakes

Newark
January 11, 2019

Newark’s rush to create new magnet-school admissions test is raising eyebrows. Here’s what you need to know.

Newark students will take a new high-stakes test next month. Big questions remain about how the test will be used and why it's necessary.

high-stakes testing

Newark
January 8, 2019

Newark delays launch of new magnet-school admissions test by a month

Eighth-graders were originally scheduled to take the admissions test this week before officials postponed it until February.

The future of 'community schools'

Newark
January 7, 2019

‘Zero student achievement’: Fate of Newark’s $10M ‘community schools’ program is in doubt

Newark launched a high-profile "community schools" program in 2015. Now, the new superintendent is asking what it's accomplished.

year in review

Newark
December 21, 2018

Highlights from a momentous year for Newark schools — and a preview of what’s ahead

The return to local control. A school board election. A new superintendent. It was a busy year in Newark.

chronically absent

Newark
Updated

‘We’re doing it to help all of us’: In Newark, student-researchers ask their peers why they miss school

A group of Newark high school and college students wanted to document all the reasons students miss school. So they surveyed their peers.
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