"Abbott v Burke"

According to a report in the New York Times in February 2002, “Abbott v. Burke may be the most significant education case since the Supreme Court’s desegregation ruling nearly 50 years ago.” Another article was also published in New Jersey Lawyer in October 2001 stating, “Abbott is one of the most remarkable and successful efforts by any court in the nation to cut an educational break for kids from poor families and generally minority-dominated urban neighborhoods.”
In the Abbott v. Burke case the Education Law Center (ELC) in Newark, NJ, served as attorneys for the plaintiff-class of over 300,000 school children and 60,000 preschoolers who were from predominately low-income and minority students who attended schools in 31 poor urban communities across New Jersey. The New Jersey Supreme Court in the landmark rulings, Abbott IV (1997) and Abbott V (1998), ordered a set of education programs and reforms to be the most fair and just in the nation – the “Abbott education adequacy”. The goal of these programs is “to give every child the opportunity to attain his or her own place as a contributing member in society with the ability to compete with other citizens and to succeed

No Child Left Behind Act..

Historically, the job of educating people has been left up to both local and state governments. However, in 1965, recognizing the universal importance of education, the federal government took on a larger role in financing public schools with the passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
ESEA has continued to assist the states through reauthorizations, and in 2001 it included No Child Left Behind. It asked the states to set standards for teacher quality and student performance.
According to a January 2007 U.S. Department of Education report titled, “Building on Results: A Blueprint for Strengthening the No Child Left Behind Act”, on January 8, 2002, President Bush signed the landmark No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) into law. This act was passed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in Congress. It was designed to end bigotry and low expectations so that, as the President said, “All students will have a better chance to learn, to excel, and to live out their dreams.” Academic standards would be set by states, schools would be held accountable for results, and the federal government would support them. This Act is challenging our students to succeed and our schools to improve.
The report also states, “No Child Left Behind is a work in progress; every day, we learn what works so students can make greater progress.” The data and information collected over the past five years after the law’s passage helps to determine what actions must be taken to continually succeed.

Arts High School 11/01/2007

I left Montclair University at 10 am and I arrived at Arts High School at 10:40 am. I was early so I sat in my car until 11 am than I went inside. I was met by the principal of the school and at that time she did not introduce her self as the principal and she did not tell me her name. Just to have a seat here in the office. Later I found that to be kind of rude that I had to guess that she was the principal. I was the first one there from MSU. Slowly as the faces from my class became familiar I was asked to go into another room so I followed a MSU student who introduced herself and said she was doing her student teaching here and she loved it.
When I sat in the auditorium the choir was practicing. I love singing and I minored in voice at my other University years ago. I found that this High school group was there advanced group. I found this out when I introduced myself to the lead director. His group was wonderful and the students sounded really professional ,singing in odd meters. For high school students that is hard to pull off. So I complement them and there talented staff at the school and the students.
Now, at 11:45 we started the Q&A part before the tour of the school. Many questions were asked by the students and also I had a few questions. Overall In the notes I took I was very satisfied and I feel I covered all that I need to know about Arts High School from my questions and questions other students asked. I was also pleased to see my old friend of 29 years Dennis Argul. He teaches Band and Brass classes, and he has been there for years. My overall view of this day at Arts High School was one I am glad I was a part of. Thank you RL peace