On the left, the State Democratic Party released a video trying to knock the Governor’s rising approval ratings down a peg or two. It’s not working.
On the self-proclaimed right, Paul Mulshine and Steve Lonegan knock Christie, and the national conservatives who have embraced the Governor, every chance they make. That’s not working either.
Detractors of Christie’s policies, on both the left and the right, would have much more success if they argued their issues on the merits, rather than personally attacking. If their issues, and not their political agendas were what they really cared about.
Like so many in the media elite, Stile doesn’t understand the Tea Party. We’ll find out on November 2 if they are the “Fringe” party. I don’t think we are. As the Republican Party establishment has been shocked by the wave that the real mainstream, as represented by the Tea Party, has made throughout the primary season, I think Stile and the rest of the media elite are going to be shocked on November 2. They will find that it is they that are on the fringe and have been for quite sometime.
There’s a better chance of seeing Governor Christie mingling with President Obama at the private dinner reception in Cresskill on Wednesday than finding him on stage with Sarah Palin or any other Tea Party gathering, for that matter.
The pugnacious, rant-and-ramble governor may sound like a Tea Party activist from time to time, and Glen Beck may be smitten with a severe case of political man-love, but in reality Christie wants as little to do with them as possible. He prefers the high ground of the GOP establishment, perched at a safe distance from the roiling Tea Party tide.
I didn’t know that the President was dining in Creskill tomorrow night. Attention Bergen County readers: avoid Knickerbocker Rd.
Christie may not be a Tea Party celebrity like Sarah Palin or Glen Beck. But he gets it. His “Put Up or Shut Up” message to the GOP establishment is what will bring the GOP and the Tea Party together. Palin and Beck may be the instigators on the fringe. Christie is the bridge.
Stile doesn’t get Christie anymore than he gets the Tea Party. “Put up or shut up” are not the words of someone who “prefers the high ground of the GOP establishment, perched at a safe distance from the roiling Tea Party tide.”
Pundits of every persuasion are trying to put Chrisite in a box. He’s not conservative enough for Mulshine or Lonegan, so he must be a RINO. He’s not as strident in his language as Palin or Beck so he must be establishment, a Whitman Republican.
Christie can’t be put into a box because he is not an ideologue. He doesn’t just think outside the box. As we have seen with his Education Reform Agenda, he breaks the box.
When Christie was seeking the GOP gubernatorial nomination last year he said that while he is his own man, two of his heroes or role models were Ronald Reagan and Tom Kean, Sr. When we discussed that in April of 09, I admit that I was skeptical. Having watch him govern for 9 months, his description of how he would govern makes a lot more sense to me than it did at the time.
If this very funny video, courtesy of NJ.com , Christie describes how it is that he managed to balance the budget with a 9% spending decrease and no new taxes.
Governor Chris Christie was joined by Geoffrey Canada, President of the Harlem Chrildren’s Zone during an Education Town Hall meeting yesterday afternoon at the Elysian Charter Schoolin Hoboken as Christie continued to introduce his Education Reform Agenda to the public.
Christie’s message: Education is the civil rights issue of today. Failure is no longer an option in New Jersey’s school’s—any of them.
Canada’s message: Educational excellence is possible through accountability, innovation and empowering good teachers. He’s doing it and has been for decades. Canada and his schools are the inspiration for the movie Waiting for “Superman” which opens today at these theaters throughout the country.
Video of Christie’s and Canada’s presentation can be viewed in four segments here.
The following two videos are clips of each gentleman’s remarks:
Canada Preview:
Christie preview:
After the town hall meeting I ran into Hoboken School Board member Maureen Sullivan who introduced me to her daughter Julia, a parochial school student who attended the town hall. Julia said about Christie, “He talks gooood, real good.”
During a conference call with the media after taping the Oprah show on Friday Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Governor Chris Christie and facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg each committed themselves to transforming Newark’s school system into and symblol of educational excellence that will become an example for the rest of the country.
Booker declared, “Failure is no longer an option,” for Newark’s school children. He pledged that he was putting everything on the line, including his career, to create a school system based on accountability and results that will give Newark’s children a educational foundation for success.
Christie said that he was committed to each child in Newark receiving a world class education and that the current results of the Newark school system are unacceptable. He said the three men came together,” because of our belief that education is a civil right and our absolute commitment to each other that we are going overcome whatever obstacles get put in our path to be able to provide a better and brighter day for the children for the City of Newark and hopefully by example, for children who are being failed by their school systems across America.”
Zuckerberg said he was interested in shining “a really bright spotlight on Newark, to make it an educational hotspot for education across the nation that people can look to see what is possilble.”
The initial response from New Jersey’s political and educational establishments has been petty and cynical. From Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver to Education Law Center’s David Sciarra to Newark Teachers Union President Joseph Del Grasso to Senator Richard Codey, the defenders of the status quo reveal their self interest and that of their constituencies to continue to profit from a failed system that costs New Jersey residents obscene amounts of money and costs Newark’s children their future.
The Republican establishment is complicit with the defenders of the status quo by their silence. Since Christie’s inauguration in January my inbox has been filled with press releases from Republican leaders voicing their support of each of the Governor’s bold initiatives. Since word of this initiative leaked out last week….nothing.
The biggest obstacle that Booker and Christie will face in transforming Newark’s school system is cynical resignation. Things in Newark have been so bad for so long that we really believe nothing will make a difference. That is why nothing does.
If you live in New Jersey the condidtion of Newark and its school system impacts your life, past, present and future. Suburan bliss may numb the pain, except on the days your property taxes are due.
If Booker, Christie and Zuckerberg fail in their project to transform Newark’s schools, we all fail.
Zuckerberg to Establish $100 Million Foundation-Startup: Education – to Improve Student Success and Champion Great Teachers, Starting with Newark, New Jersey
Newark, N.J. September 24, 2010 – On today’s Oprah Winfrey Show, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker launched the Partnership for Education in Newark, an unprecedented commitment to improve public education, with the support of Facebook Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Governor Christie and Mayor Booker have committed to a bipartisan initiative to ensure every school-aged child in Newark has access to a high-quality education that prepares them for a successful future and a better quality of life. To begin this new Partnership, the Governor has authorized Mayor Booker to work with the local community to develop and implement a comprehensive education plan for the future of the Newark Public School District, based on clear standards and metrics that reward excellence in teaching, school leadership and student achievement. The plan will be carried out under the Mayor’s leadership over the next few years.
To support these efforts, Zuckerberg announced the creation of a new foundation – Startup: Education — with an initial gift of $100 million to improve educational opportunities for young people in America. The foundation’s first project will be to measurably improve academic achievement for Newark students and create a national model for rewarding excellence in education. Mayor Booker has also announced the creation of the Newark Education and Youth Development Fund, a separate non-profit organization whose goal is to secure an additional $100 million to match the challenge grant available through Zuckerberg’s foundation, as well as an additional $50 million to serve disaffected youth.
“Mayor Booker and I are thrilled to accept Mark Zuckerberg’s challenge – to work with the Newark community to dramatically elevate the potential of public education in the City of Newark, throughout New Jersey and across the nation,” said New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. “Collectively, we believe the best way to secure and improve our nation’s future is to create the highest quality public education system in the world. There is no better place to begin this journey than in Newark, a city of both great progress and potential.”
“We’re grateful that this young, innovative entrepreneur is so dedicated to helping create the next generation of successful entrepreneurs and leaders. Improving the quality of public education and increasing student achievement in Newark is a top priority of my Administration, and I am so grateful that Mark Zuckerberg shares our commitment and belief in the genius and limitless potential of Newark’s students,” said Cory A. Booker, Mayor of Newark, New Jersey. “We know that investing in educational excellence today will create the foundation for Newark’s prosperity and competitiveness in the decades ahead. With this incredible investment and the steadfast commitment of our school leaders and teachers to improve youth outcomes, it is my belief that the pathway to nationwide public education excellence starts in Newark.”
The National Opportunity for Change
The Newark Public School District, with a student population of more than 40,000, is the largest school system in New Jersey. In 2008-2009, only 40 percent of students could read and write at grade level by the end of third grade, only 54 percent of high school students graduated and just 38 percent enrolled in college.*
The size of the school district, the determination of the community and the scope of the grant create an unprecedented opportunity to drastically improve the educational environment for all the city’s students.
Shared Commitments
Governor Christie, Mayor Booker and Mark Zuckerberg will work collaboratively to support the transformation of Newark’s education system and ultimately make the city a national model for educational excellence.
Governor Christie has committed to work with Mayor Booker to ensure that every child in Newark receives a quality education. Through this Partnership, Mayor Booker will provide local strategic and operational leadership to help Newark improve its public schools, with strong accountability and clear standards and metrics designed to improve teacher excellence and student achievement.
Mayor Booker has committed to make education a top priority for his current term in office, engage with the Newark community to develop new educational principles and performance metrics, and implement a comprehensive program to reward excellence. As key milestones in the project are reached, the Startup: Education foundation intends to provide $100 million over five years to ensure every school-aged child in Newark has access to a high-quality education.
“Mayor Booker and Governor Christie refuse to accept the status quo in public education,” said Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Facebook. “They insist on demanding more for young people now so that they will be fully prepared for success in college, careers and in life. Each of these leaders is prepared to make bold commitments that will make Newark a symbol of education reform. Their personal commitments – and their willingness to cut through the politics and red tape to collaborate – persuaded me to support them and make a commitment of my own.” Zuckerberg’s blog post announcing Startup: Education can be found at http://www.facebook.com/startupeducation <http://www.facebook.com/startupeducation> .
Praise from third parties
Today’s announcement has already generated praise from educational experts, philanthropists and others around the country:
Jon Schnur, CEO, New Leaders for New Schools “There is nothing more important in American education in the next five years than showing how entire cities and states can have the dramatic successes that to date we have only seen at the school level. Under Mayor Cory Booker’s leadership – with support from Governor Christie and Mark Zuckerberg – the children of Newark can succeed and make their city one of those “proof points” for our nation.”
Norman Atkins, CEO, Teacher U; Founder/Board Chair, Uncommon Schools; Co-Founder, North Star Academy Charter School in Newark “Both Governor Chris Christie and Mayor Cory Booker are maverick public servants long been committed to closing the achievement gap. Now, teaming up with one of our nation’s leading entrepreneurs, they are making the Newark Public Schools the central address in American education reform, setting out to ensure that all Newark students are prepared for success in college and life.”
Kathleen Nugent, New Jersey State Director, Democrats for Education Reform “This is our chance to launch a real debate in Newark focused on what’s best for kids and what we must do to provide excellent education to every student. The gift offers the opportunity to invest in what works.”
Richard Barth, CEO and President, KIPP Foundation “It has taken a decade for KIPP to grow from two to 99 schools, with four of our schools in Newark. We are looking to double the number of children we serve in the next five years, and today’s bold announcement sets up Newark as one of the cities in which we can dramatically increase the number of children we serve. This is a game changer.”
John Danner, Co-Founder and CEO, Rocketship Education “I applaud Mark Zuckerberg for building the momentum around eliminating the achievement gap across America in our lifetimes. Mayor Booker is an ideal recipient of this matching grant; he will work tirelessly to give the children of Newark a better chance. As Rocketship expands nationally, this moves Newark up our list of potential cities significantly.”
Evan Rudall, CEO, Uncommon Schools “Uncommon Schools is thrilled that Governor Christie, Mayor Booker, Mark Zuckerberg, and others are joining forces to improve Newark’s public schools. Until the achievement gap is closed and every child in Newark is prepared to graduate from college, it is essential for elected officials, entrepreneurs, and educators to work together to do what is in the best interest of children. Uncommon Schools and North Star Academy welcome this opportunity to help ensure that all Newark children have the opportunity to attend an outstanding school.”
Robert Clark, Founding Director, YouthBuild Newark “This is a real opportunity for Newark to become a model in education reform. Improving outcomes for our youth must focus on the results that each leader, teacher and school achieves for its students. With the collective energy of the City’s education, nonprofit and philanthropic community, working in partnership with kids and families, I know that Newark is destined for greatness.”
Bill Gates, Co-chair and Trustee, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation “Thank you, Mark, for this incredible gift to improve education. Your involvement in the years ahead — your thinking, your energy — will be even more important than your resources. Improving education in this country is the key to its future, making it a just place, achieving the full potential of all students. There’s a lot to learn. Technology has a role to play, more resources, backing leaders like you have here. I’m excited to be on this journey together and thank you so much.”
Geoffrey Canada, President and CEO, Harlem Children’s Zone “This is the most exciting education reform initiative in the country. It is a historic opportunity for Newark to demonstrate how educational innovation and increased accountability can save the lives of thousands of poor children.”
John Legend, Recording Artist and education advocate “Newark is doing what every school district should do – focusing on proven education reform strategies like putting students first and investing heavily in teacher and principal quality. The Partnership for Education in Newark offers an unprecedented opportunity to support Newark’s students, schools and teachers – and serves as a model for funding public education excellence. I have heard Mayor Booker say that ‘Newark will shock the world.’ My hope is that this initiative will not only shock people everywhere into more deeply supporting schools, but that Newark’s efforts will rock the world through generations of students who benefit from an outstanding public education.”
Mashea Ashton, Newark Charter School Fund “This historic donation is a real opportunity for Newark to become a national model for leveraging private dollars to improve an urban school system. While there are no silver bullets to reform education, we know what works: it takes great teachers, inspirational leaders, a dedicated community and the political will to keep students and families first. With this financial support, Newark has the resources to take bold action. We need to be innovative in our efforts to improve educational outcomes for every child in Newark. We must incorporate best practices of high-quality charter schools and great traditional schools, bringing it to scale in a way that benefits all schools in the city.”
Ted Mitchell, CEO, NewSchools Venture Fund; President, California State Board of Education “Our failure, as a country, to offer a world-class education to every child shames us all. This partnership will create a team that knows that with will, hard work, and innovative ideas, we can do better.”
Additional Information To contribute to the Partnership for Education in Newark, visit http://www.startupeducation.org or http://www.squareup.com/newark
For more information on the Partnership or Startup:Education, like the Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/startupeducation; join the cause at http://www.causes.com/newark or visit http://www.mynewarkeducation.com
Follow updates from Mayor Booker on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/corybooker <, or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/corybooker
Follow updates from Governor Christie on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GovChrisChristie <http://www.facebook.com/GovChrisChristie> , on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GovChristie YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/GovChristie or his website at http://www.state.nj.us/governor/
Follow Mark Zuckerberg on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/markzuckerberg <http://www.facebook.com/markzuckerberg>
* Newark Public Schools 2009-13 Strategic Plan
http://www.nps.k12.nj.us/pdf/StrategicPlan-FINALASOF11-09.pdf
About the City of Newark, New Jersey Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast. With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival. In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission: to set a national standard for urban transformation.
Governor Chris Christie and Newark Mayor Cory Booker will make an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show on Friday to announce the restructuring of the Newark School System and the gift of $100 million from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerman, according to a report in the Star Ledger.
Under the restructuring, Newark’s schools will be under the authority of Mayor Booker who will be named a “special assistant to the governor.” The schools have been under state control for 15 years with the governor as the official overseer.
Booker will implement reforms to include expanded charter school, new achievement standards and methods of judging which schools and teachers are effective. New Jersey’s teachers unions have long opposed these types of reforms.
The Democratic leadership of the State Legislature went along with Governor Chris Christie in capping NJ’s property tax increases at 2% last July with the understanding that they would get to work on and pass the governor’s “tool kit” which enables municipal leaders to responsibly reduce the cost of local government in September.
Rather than focusing on municipal government reform, the Democratic leadership is focusing on the Christie administrations failed “Race to the Top” application for $400 million in federal education dollars. Nothing that the Democrats discover in their “Race to the Top” circus will bring NJ the $400 million the Christie administration applied for. That $400 million is not coming, just as Frank Pallone’s $400 million to count fish is not coming.
Trenton Democrats need to put policy over politics. They can hold hearings on the Race to the Top snafu after they have passed the tool kit. They will get just as much political mileage and just as much money (none) from Race to the Top hearings held in December or January as they will from hearings held now.
Failure to pass the tool kit will lead to massive municipal layoffs and service cuts throughout New Jersey while property taxes increase by 2%. This week, just in Monmouth County, we have seen two clear examples of why the tool kit is necessary. In Belmar a mediator awarded the police department a 15% salary increase while Highlands announced that they might layoff 12 of their 53 employees, including three police officers. There will be literally hundreds of stories like this throughout the state if the legislature doesn’t pass the tool kit legislation before municipal leaders start crafting their 2011-2012 budgets.
Maybe that is what Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver want to happen. Maybe their focus is on next year’s state legislative elections and they think they have a better chance of keeping control of the legislature if New Jersey’s municipalities are in chaos next year with rising crime and garbage piling up on the streets because only the most highly paid municipal employees are still working while their former junior colleagues are collecting unemployment or moving out of state to take lower paying government jobs elsewhere.
Sweeney and Oliver wouldn’t do that, would they? Will it work if they do? I don’t think so.
