MSU Joins Effort to Enhance New Jersey High School Education

Montclair State University has taken the initiative to support The New Jersey High School Redesign Steering Committee. The committee is a coalition of the state’s major education organizations working to build public awareness of and support for a more rigorous high school experience.

On October 12, 2006, Montclair State will host a meeting for the Steering Committee, at the Conference Center in University Hall, exclusively for educators, administrators and school staff. Topics for discussion will include globalization and technological advances, required skills for students entering the workforce or going on to further education, the state of high school education in New Jersey, high school reform initiatives across the country, and action steps to improve the quality of the high school experience for our state’s students.

A recent report indicated that on one-fourth of this year’s high school graduates are prepared for college-level classes in English, math, reading and science. The report, which follows a three-year study called the American Diploma Project, said students need four years of English, four years of sciences, Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 to build a solid foundation for success.

Ada Beth Cutler, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, said, "MSU is committed to this effort because we now admit many students who are not prepared for college work and therefore must take remedial courses that do not count toward graduation. Research shows that college students who must take remedial course are much less likely to graduate from college."

Members of the committee include Montclair State University, the New Jersey Department of Education, the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, the New Jersey Education Association, the New Jersey School Boards Association, the Business Coalition for Educational Excellence at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey United for Higher School Standards and the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education.

To join in the conversation on New Jersey’s high schools, please visit The New Jersey High School Redesign Web-site at www.njhighschoolsummit.org. Help make sure our high schools are ready for the future-register to attend an upcoming session.