Education news from Program Director Ross Danis:
In a unanimous opinion issued on November 18, 2009, the New Jersey Supreme Court ordered a remand in the landmark Abbott v. Burke case in order to fully vet the constitutionality of the New Jersey Legislature’s new school funding formula, the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 (SFRA).
Before a special master, the State must prove that the SFRA provides sufficient resources to ensure a “thorough and efficient” education to the almost 300,000 schoolchildren in the 31 poor, urban districts in New Jersey. The Abbott schoolchildren are represented by the Education Law Center.
If you’re interested in following the trial, which started yesterday and is expected to last until February 28, Our Children/Our Schools, a statewide education justice campaign whose membership includes education, children’s advocacy and civil rights organizations, has created a blog to share information for the duration of the trial.