N.J. teachers union backs 'Race to the Top' application

The NJEA, which worked with N.J. education officials on this application, did not endorse rejected first-round bid

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Clik here to view.Ed Murray/The Star-LedgerNJEA President Barbara Keshisian speaks to the crowd during the protest in Trenton against Chris Christie and the state's cuts to school district aid.
TRENTON — The state's largest teachers union today announced its support of New Jersey's application to a federal education reform grant that could bring up to $400 million to the state's public schools.

"We hope this signals the beginning of an ongoing cooperative relationship with the Department," said New Jersey Education Association President Barbara Keshishian. "Our public schools are among the best in the nation. We want to make sure we keep moving in the right direction to maintain our competitive edge and to live up to the promise of a great public school for every child."

NJEA did not endorse the state's first-round bid earlier this year for a Race to the Top grant, an Obama administration program that rewards states for public education improvement plans.

Union officials first met with state Education Commissioner Bret Schundler to offer their help in applying for the grant earlier this month.

“This was the result of genuine collaboration and sharing of ideas,” said Keshishian. “The application is much stronger than it was just a few days ago. It is certainly far more educationally sound, which has been our primary concern from the beginning. We understand the financial pressure our schools face, and we understand how important it is for New Jersey to access all the resources available to us."

Schundler on Wednesday pushed for the state's application for the grant program in front of 120 school officials, some of whom were skeptical despite supporting the state's application.

New Jersey is proposing an education reform plan that includes teacher merit pay and tenure changes. The proposal also will implement a data system that tracks student progress and turning around or closing failing schools.

Officials have said that participating school districts would receive at least $100,000 should the state be awarded the grant.

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