An “Education Transformation Task Force” established by Governor Chris Christie last year has released its final report. The eight-member group has asked that the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) eliminate or change more than 400 rules, regulations and policies. The changes, according to the report, will provide greater flexibility to districts and will remove rules that hinder educators.
The 239-page report includes more than two dozen changes to special education in areas including student records, eligibility for services, IEP changes, special education programs, class size, and other requirements.
Advocates have charged that the task force offers no research, study or data to support deregulation. They say that the changes, if adopted, would eliminate safeguards and weaken state oversight and accountability.
