Acting commissioner Rochelle Hendricks (second from left), who replaced Bret Schundler (center), says "our resolve is strong" despite not winning federal funding
Rochelle Hendricks, second from left, was named acting Commissioner of Education. This screen grab shows New Jersey's interview during the Race to the Top process.TRENTON — The state Board of Education began its first meeting after the firing of former commissioner Bret Schundler by acknowledging feelings of “uncertainty” in N.J.’s education world after the “eventful” past few days – but vowing to continue moving forward to reform and improve the state’s schools.
Board president Arcelio Aponte said the board was disappointed New Jersey did not receive $400 million in Race to the Top funds, but said “not winning funds does not weaken our resolve.”
Aponte also welcomed new acting commissioner Rochelle Hendricks, who said much of the same.
“Our resolve is strong – our commitment to children is undaunted – our expectations are ever high,” said Hendricks. “It would have been wonderful to have $400 million extra dollars,” she said, but added that vision, commitment, and passion are what bring true reform.
An error committed on a five-point question cost New Jersey 4.8 points on the 500-point application. The state provided school funding data for 2011 instead of 2008 and 2009, the years requested.
The governor has maintained Schundler misled him about the state’s attempt to correct an error on the Race to the Top application during a presentation last month before peer judges in Washington, D.C.
Christie has said publicly the judges would not let the state correct the error. But a video released by the U.S. Department of Education contradicted those claims and showed the state did not try to correct the mistake.
In the end, New Jersey missed out on the funding by 3 points. Nine states and the District of Columbia were awarded more than $3.3 billion in Race to the Top funds, which reward states for aggressive and new approaches to improving schools.
Previous coverage:
• N.J. Democrats push for hearing on Race to the Top error, despite Christie's call to move on
• Fired N.J. education chief Bret Schundler says he made 'Race to the Top' error
• Future of N.J. school reform remains uncertain without federal funds, permanent education chief
• Tom Moran: Christie faces ugly political ramifications of 'Race to the Top' error, Schundler firing
• Schundler requested firing instead of resignation so he can collect unemployment
• Gov. Chris Christie fires N.J. schools chief Bret Schundler
• Gov. Christie blames Washington bureaucracy for state's failed 'Race to the Top' application
Related video:
| Bret Schundler comments on firing as education commissioner |