Opinion: N.J. education commissioner should remember his mission to help public schools

Connie Goddard, Ph.D., is a historian of education and adjunct professor at Mercer County Community College. She attended the hearing.

Chris Cerf, who was confirmed as state commissioner of education on Monday, after having the job for 18 months in an acting capacity, performed well during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee the previous week. For longer than three hours, he addressed pointed questions, repeatedly emphasizing his commitment to “providing a quality education for all children” and declaring that he was “passionate” about ending the achievement gap.

But as he takes office, he should remember that it is a public education system he has sworn to nurture and maintain, not one that encourages the privatization of this most essential institution. He may be so focused on fixing failing schools that he neglects the democratic process — and the heritage of a public school system.

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