Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Roger Leon

Miseducation

Newark
3 days ago

In Newark, reporting lapses hide thousands of student suspensions from public view

Newark schools suspended thousands of students in 2015-16. But inaccurate state reports have masked the suspensions.

Newark's Absenteeism Crisis

Newark
September 26, 2018

Another year, another Newark attendance campaign. Can León succeed where others have failed?

Like his predecessors, Superintendent Roger León wants to end Newark's absenteeism crisis. It won't be easy.

To and Through

Newark
September 19, 2018

Newark’s post-grad paradox: More students are entering college, but few earn degrees

Just 23 percent of Newark high-school graduates earn a college degree within six years. Officials want to change that.

mission statement

Newark
September 7, 2018

‘I am the children’s superintendent,’ Newark’s new schools chief promises students

Superintendent Roger León spent the first week of school meeting with students and setting sky-high expectations for the year.

Time crunch

Newark
September 7, 2018

In victory for teachers union, Newark superintendent scraps longer hours for low-performing schools

Superintendent Roger León is ending a program that tried to revamp struggling schools by extending their hours.

meet the new boss

Newark
August 29, 2018

Live on a Jumbotron, Newark’s new superintendent shares his big plans with 7,000 district employees

Superintendent Roger León shared some sobering statistics along with his hugely ambitious goals in his first meeting with all district employees.

Get ready

Newark
August 22, 2018

After weeks of planning, Newark’s new superintendent starts rolling out changes

Superintendent Roger León previewed coming changes to district security protocol and school start times.

new recruits

Newark
August 3, 2018

Forget sit-ins and walkouts. Newark student activists try new tack under local control

The Newark Students Union, which attracted national attention with a four-day sit-in, is shifting its focus from protest to problem-solving.

new leaders

Newark
July 25, 2018

Newark gets new crop of principals, including one for troubled Shabazz high school

East Side, West Side, and Barringer high schools are also getting new leaders, along with several elementary schools.

departures

Newark
July 19, 2018

As fate of ‘Newark Enrolls’ is debated, top enrollment officials resign

Gabrielle Ramos-Solomon and Kate Fletcher, who oversaw the district's enrollment system, both resigned shortly after the superintendent tried to oust them.

first steps

Newark
July 11, 2018

Superintendent León secures leadership team, navigates evolving relationship with board

The school board approved three new assistant superintendents on Tuesday. A divided board had failed to approve them last month.

public records

Newark
July 6, 2018

Newark school board releases names of officials forced out by Superintendent León

The district released the names, titles, and salaries of the 31 officials who were forced to resign or face being fired.

policy promise

Newark
July 3, 2018

Newark’s district-charter enrollment system is here to stay, new superintendent said in meeting

Superintendent Roger León told charter-school leaders that he will preserve the controversial system, called Newark Enrolls.

day one

Newark
July 2, 2018

Meet Roger León, the homegrown educator charting a new course for Newark schools

León has been a Newark student, teacher, and principal. Now, he takes over as superintendent at a historic moment for the district.

staffing shake-up

Newark
June 27, 2018

Flexing its new authority, Newark school board blocks some staffing changes sought by incoming superintendent

The school board rejected several people that incoming Superintendent Roger León sought to appoint or fire, but it approved others.

early dismissals

Newark
June 23, 2018

Top Newark school officials ousted in leadership shake-up as new superintendent prepares to take over

About 30 Newark Public Schools officials and administrators were given the option Friday to resign or face termination.

behind the scenes

Newark
Updated June 8, 2018

‘It may not bode well.’ State lawmaker intervened in Newark’s superintendent search, its first under local control

State Sen. Teresa Ruiz pressured officials to replace a member of the superintendent search committee and to allow an extra candidate, sources said.
Newark
June 6, 2018

Three lessons Newark’s new schools chief can learn from New York City’s retired chancellor

Roger León will soon take over a district still reeling from past changes. Former NYC schools chief Carmen Fariña knows what that's like.

Q&A

Newark
June 1, 2018

Students are the ‘heartbeat’ of schools: Newark’s incoming superintendent shares his vision for the district

Roger León, the longtime Newark educator set to become schools chief, praised some charter schools and called past reforms "good work."

'It's a new day'

Newark
May 25, 2018

In Newark, will homegrown change replace outsider-led reform?

After controversial reforms enacted by outsiders, Newark has chosen a homegrown leader. Can he create a new model of change?

Superintendent search

Newark
May 25, 2018

Newark board was leaning toward different superintendent candidate before unanimous vote for Roger Leon, source says

Another local candidate, A. Robert Gregory, got the most board backing in an informal poll days before the official vote, according to a source.

Superintendent search

Newark
May 23, 2018

Former principal Roger Leon chosen as Newark’s new superintendent

Leon, a Newark native and veteran of the school system, was picked by the school board in a unanimous vote Tuesday night.

Superintendent search

Newark
May 19, 2018

Newark superintendent finalists make their pitches to the public

The four finalists gave 30-minutes public presentations on Friday, days before the school board will decide whom to hire.

Superintendent search

Newark
May 14, 2018

Nashville school official is one of four finalists to become Newark’s next superintendent

Sito Narcisse, Metro Nashville Public Schools' chief of schools, will join the three other finalists at a public forum on Friday.

finalist forum

Newark
May 8, 2018

Newark superintendent finalists will face the public on May 18

The finalists, whose names have not yet been revealed, will offer their visions for the school system during the public forum.

Superintendent search

Newark
May 2, 2018

For the first time in a generation, Newark will pick its own schools chief. Meet the interim leader hoping to get the job.

After working in Newark schools for two decades, Robert Gregory thinks he's ready to lead the district. But he's not the only one vying for the top job.