Testimony

AFTNJ NewsPre-K to 12 NewsTestimony

Chiera Testimony: Teacher Diversity

Thursday, February 7, 2019
Teacher Diversity
Senate Higher Education Committee, Senate Education Committee
Donna M. Chiera, President

“Public schools should serve all students equally, regardless of race, creed or cultural differences. Research shows that children in historically underserved communities benefit academically if they have teachers who look like them. We need to make sure they get the teachers they need.…

Read More
AFTNJ NewsHigher Ed NewsNewsPolitical EducationTestimony

Faculty Leaders Testify For Senate Higher Education

Oppose Third Year in Community College For Four Year Degree

A program keeping students in community colleges for a third year before matriculating to Rowan University should be studied and analyzed before being replicated at other schools, experienced professors told legislators at the Senate Higher Education Committee, Monday, Oct. 18 in Trenton. The faculty members supported many measures recommended by the College Affordability Study Commission, but objected to extending the “3-Plus-1 Degree Programs” bill (S2623) before the model has proven itself at Rowan University and community colleges in Gloucester and Burlington Counties.…

Read More
AFTNJ NewsHigher Ed NewsNewsPolitical EducationTestimonyTestimony

AFTNJ Supports Reforms of Abusive NJ Student Loan Practices

“Thanks to Assembly Higher Ed Chair Mila Jasey and Assemblyman Andrew Wicker for their leadership in putting forth common sense legislation on student debt,” said AFTNJ President Donna M. Chiera. Decency was on the agenda in Trenton, Thursday, Sept.8 at the Assembly Higher Education Committee, she said.

AFTNJ Higher Education Vice President and Rutgers AAUP-AFT President David M.…

Read More
AFTNJ NewsHigher Ed NewsIn ActionPhotosTestimonyTestimony

Testimony for College Affordability Task Force Offers Ideas for Efficiency, Savings for Students

AFTNJ Higher Education Executive Vice President Sue Tardi, a professor from William Paterson, and Rutgers professors Dan O’Connor and Patrice Mareschal testified in Trenton for the College Affordability Task Force. The group offered a variety of recommendations for reducing college and student debt, improving emphasis on academics on and increasing accountability in Trenton.

Read Sue Tardi’s testimony

Read Patrice Mareschal’s testimony

Higher Education Affordability Committee

Read More
AFTNJ NewsPre-K to 12 NewsTestimony

Testimony: Call for a Moratorium on the Consequences of High Stakes Testing

Parents, students, community members and educators continue to stand up against the trend of standardized testing increasingly driving education policies and practices. They are rejecting the concept of the disastrous “shame, blame, test and punish” accountability system that is dismantling the teaching and learning process. Disbelief and outrage was expressed when it was learned publishing companies are “spying” on students without any prior notification to the school systems, parents or students.…

Read More
AFTNJ NewsPolitical EducationPre-K to 12 NewsTestimony

Reclaiming Our Profession: A Professional Continuum to Support Effective Teaching in NJ

There is not a profession in this modern era that is legislated, regulated and mandated as closely as that of the public school educator. While there are laws governing other professions, those laws are developed and implemented with the voices of those in the profession front and center. That cannot be said of the laws and regulations governing today’s educational system.…

Read More