'No Child' rules target 53 Jersey districts, schools Friday, October 19, 2007 • BY JOHN MOONEY • Star-Ledger Staff More than 50 school districts and charter schools have been deemed "in need of improvement" because of subpar test scores under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, state officials said yesterday. A little shorter than past years, the list of 44 districts and nine charters is a mix of urban and suburban, including large districts such as Trenton, New Brunswick and Plainfield, and more suburban ones such as Morris Hills, Warren Hills, and East Windsor regionals. Also included for the first time are six districts -- including Newark, Paterson, and Elizabeth -- that have fallen short four consecutive years, putting them in peril of forced changes to their budgets, curricula, or staffing. But state officials yesterday downplayed any such sanctions until there are further evaluations in each district, probably within this school year. For a vast majority of the others, the sanctions are mostly limited to notifying parents, undergoing state reviews, and developing plans for improvement. Overall, the announcement of designated districts is similar to the better-known list of individual schools sanctioned under the federal law that was released earlier this fall. Yesterday's list instead uses districtwide scores on state tests. State officials yesterday said the list shows many districts have made improvements from the year before, when more than 60 districts and charters were designated. Twelve districts previously designated had made enough progress to be removed altogether, and another 30 districts made enough progress that they could be removed next year. "While there is still work to be done in the districts, it is clear they have made improvements, and there is an expectation that after another year of progress, they will no longer be on the list," said state Education Commissioner Lucille Davy. Still, for the first time, the sanctions intensify this year for those districts chronically falling short for at least four years. Under the law, the state has the discretion between four options for these districts: redirect certain federal funds, replace key staff, replace the curriculum, or appoint a "highly skilled professional" to assist changes. State officials yesterday said those decisions would be made after further review through its monitoring process, including meetings with district staff. "We'll first be working with them to identify the issues that need the most attention," said Suzanne Ochse, a state Department of Education director who oversees the federal programs and funding. Officials in some of the targeted districts said needed improvements have begun, regardless of the federal distinction. For instance, Elizabeth boasts widespread changes in school administration and instructional programs over the last two years. "We are undergoing a quantum change of culture and performance throughout our district," said Donald Goncalves, a spokesman for the district. "But none of this is going to happen overnight." The state's announcement and further details about each district are available online at the state Department of Education's Web site: www.state.nj.us/education/ John Mooney may be reached at jmooney@starledger.com or (973) 392-1548 © 2007 The Star-Ledger. Used by NJ.com with permission.