ERIC Number: ED504895
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2004-Feb
Pages: 15
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Abbott School Construction Program: Report on the NJ Department of Education Proposed Regulations on Long-Range Facilities Plans
Ponessa, Joan
Education Law Center
This report on Long Range Facilities Plans (LRFPs) analyzes regulations proposed by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to implement the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act. (EFCFA). EFCFA, which authorizes and governs New Jersey's public school construction program, was enacted in July 2000 to implement the State Supreme Court's 1998 ruling in Abbott v. Burke. The report examines NJDOE's proposed regulations requiring the preparation of five-year, district wide facilities plans. The proposal is evaluated for compliance with the mandate for safe and educationally adequate school facilities. This mandate is one of the remedies ordered by the Supreme Court to ensure a "thorough and efficient" education for urban students under the State Constitution: the Abbott ruling applies to 30 urban or "Abbott districts," which serve 25 percent of New Jersey's public school students. This report contains: (1) a summary of key findings and recommendations; (2) background on the Abbott school construction program and deficiencies in the current LRFPs; and (3) an analysis of the proposed NJDOE regulations and recommendations for improvement. The report concludes that substantial revisions are needed to improve the quality of districts' facilities planning over the next five-year construction cycle. The Education Law Center calls for support of the NJDOE, and the State Commissioner and Board of Education in making suggested improvements. (Contains 29 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Public Schools, Educational Facilities Planning, School Construction, Construction Programs, Educational Facilities, Educational Improvement, Urban Schools, Core Curriculum, Poverty, Elementary Secondary Education, Court Litigation, Preschool Education, Kindergarten, Educational Finance, School Law, School Districts, Equal Education, Academic Standards, Compliance (Legal), Educational Equity (Finance), Disadvantaged Schools, Equalization Aid, Foundation Programs, Program Effectiveness, State Legislation, State Regulation, Long Range Planning
Education Law Center. 60 Park Place Suite 300, Newark, NJ 07102. Tel: 973-624-1815; Fax: 973-624-7339; e-mail: elc@edlawcenter.org; Web site: http://www.edlawcenter.org
Publication Type: Opinion Papers; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Education Law Center
Identifiers - Location: New Jersey
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Abbott v Burke
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A