EDISON…Statement from AFTNJ President Donna M. Chiera on Governor Chris Christie’s call for extending school days and years.
“The American Federation of Teachers New Jersey (AFTNJ) is concerned that Governor Chris Christie calls for extending school days and years without mandating a collaborative planning process that has helped make these programs successful in districts in New Jersey and elsewhere.
The planning process for any new program should be inclusive and solicit meaningful input from local teachers participating on behalf of their unions, parents and community members. Representatives of any group that currently provides wraparound services such as health care, tutoring or counseling for students and their families should be included to insure continuity of these valuable programs.
Successful implementation of an extended school day or school year must start with an in- district evaluation of what is already working or lacking within that district’s existing programs including current extended day, afterschool and summer school programs. How can we expect a different result if a district simply extends a program that is not highly effective?
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