TECHSPO 2009 is a unique state-of-the-art conference presented by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA), designed specifically for all educators and their communities. The two-day conference will feature 50 group sessions and action labs that will present data, knowledge and materials to complement the school curricula through the use of educational technology in the classroom environment.
This year’s conference will be held at Bally’s Atlantic City on January 29-30, 2009 and will feature two dynamic keynote speakers, award-winning futurist and author Dr. David Thornburg and internationally acclaimed speaker, writer, and educator Marc Prensky, respectively.
Imagine this moment in your life as chief educational officer. A skeptical school board member, prospective parent, or local public official visits one of the schools in your district and, after a tour in which you point out the wonderful new computers, scanners, digital cameras, and other technology which your district has acquired over the past few years, says to you, "You've clearly made a tremendous investment in technology. How do you know this investment will pay off in terms of student learning?" This topic will be covered, among others, over the two-day event.
Other focus areas will include how educational technology can improve academic achievement, the best tools to use, and establish a dialogue as to how technology can be used to benefit New Jersey school districts and students.
As we enter a new year, changes in educational technology are occurring much more rapidly than ever before. While technological innovations bring many benefits, there is little argument that they add to the complexity of our educational world and increase the skill level every student needs.
For more information on TECHSPO 2009 please click on the following link: http://www.njasa.net/70171081911545867/site/default.asp
There is something for everyone at TECHSPO 2009. Hope to see you there!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Pension Payment Deferral is not the Answer to NJ’s Budgetary Woes
The New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA) agrees with Governor Jon Corzine’s commitment to get our state through this national economic crisis, as expressed in his State of the State message on January 13th. NJASA does not agree with his proposal for school districts and local governments to elect to defer pension payments to public employee pension funds.
Once again, an administration is using the pension system as a vehicle to control run-away state expenses. This type of political maneuvering, initiated by the Whitman administration (1994-2001) and continued by her successors, does not establish a business-like approach to the funding of the retirement systems. The balance remaining in the pension fund is now less than half of the funding needed to meet the obligation to pay retirees over time.
Yes, we are in one of the worst financial cycles since the 1930s, with New Jersey facing a 12-year high unemployment rate of 6.1%. Times are tight and tough decisions are needed and fiscal responsibility is a must, but to make a suggestion that requires the absence of pension payments for public employees is a step in the wrong direction. NJASA was pleased in December when a legislative initiative that called for a similar pension deferment was pulled from the voting agenda in the State Senate due to lack of support from both sides of the aisle.
Public employees have and will continue to meet their obligations to the retirement systems every payday. It would be helpful if their partner in pension funding, the State of New Jersey, met its obligations.
Any short-term “solution” that involves deferring public employee pension payments is a short-sighted gamble and this is not the time to be gambling with other people’s money.
Once again, an administration is using the pension system as a vehicle to control run-away state expenses. This type of political maneuvering, initiated by the Whitman administration (1994-2001) and continued by her successors, does not establish a business-like approach to the funding of the retirement systems. The balance remaining in the pension fund is now less than half of the funding needed to meet the obligation to pay retirees over time.
Yes, we are in one of the worst financial cycles since the 1930s, with New Jersey facing a 12-year high unemployment rate of 6.1%. Times are tight and tough decisions are needed and fiscal responsibility is a must, but to make a suggestion that requires the absence of pension payments for public employees is a step in the wrong direction. NJASA was pleased in December when a legislative initiative that called for a similar pension deferment was pulled from the voting agenda in the State Senate due to lack of support from both sides of the aisle.
Public employees have and will continue to meet their obligations to the retirement systems every payday. It would be helpful if their partner in pension funding, the State of New Jersey, met its obligations.
Any short-term “solution” that involves deferring public employee pension payments is a short-sighted gamble and this is not the time to be gambling with other people’s money.
Friday, January 9, 2009
How About Funding for Our Children?
There was something missing from the $700 billion taxpayer funded bailout that was recently signed into law. It seems impossible, I know. Congress spent several days making sure nothing was left out, including money for Puerto Rican rum makers, race track owners, wooden arrow manufacturers, and of course, the always under-funded wool researchers. All kidding aside, the real shocker here is that education was left out – again.
For years, federal education dollars for children have been in a constant state of decline – a trend that shows no signs of stopping. Over the past year, the federal government has paid out several trillion dollars through spending and entitlement programs. Most of these programs consume the largest portion of the federal budget, while spending on children’s education fails to keep pace with our nation’s educational needs.
The bailout amounts to more than $2,300 from the pockets of every New Jersey resident, and there are no guarantees that it will work. However, most would be more willing to part with this money if it was going to the education of our children - arguably money much better spent.
If our government can rescue banks and car manufacturers, surely the government can afford to do the same for our children.
Despite these challenging times, it remains our responsibility as Chief Educational Officers to continue to move education forward for the betterment of New Jersey’s children. That responsibility will be made a bit easier if the federal government would be as committed to our children, who really are our future, as it is to industry.
For years, federal education dollars for children have been in a constant state of decline – a trend that shows no signs of stopping. Over the past year, the federal government has paid out several trillion dollars through spending and entitlement programs. Most of these programs consume the largest portion of the federal budget, while spending on children’s education fails to keep pace with our nation’s educational needs.
The bailout amounts to more than $2,300 from the pockets of every New Jersey resident, and there are no guarantees that it will work. However, most would be more willing to part with this money if it was going to the education of our children - arguably money much better spent.
If our government can rescue banks and car manufacturers, surely the government can afford to do the same for our children.
Despite these challenging times, it remains our responsibility as Chief Educational Officers to continue to move education forward for the betterment of New Jersey’s children. That responsibility will be made a bit easier if the federal government would be as committed to our children, who really are our future, as it is to industry.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Moving Education Forward in 2009
It’s often customary when the calendar year comes to a close for everyone to reflect on the year that is ending while also looking forward to the promise of the year ahead. 2008 certainly had its challenges for many New Jersey school districts and educational leaders, including Chief Education Officers. Even though 2009 promises change, many of the educational challenges posed in 2008, including school funding and expenditures, will remain.
As the new year begins, the goal remains the same – creating the best possible learning environment for our school children. The New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA) has taken as part of its mission to best prepare its members for 2009 and the years ahead. Our first Superintendents Summit in late October created a forum for members to discuss the challenges they face in providing effective leadership, as well as approaches and best practices to overcome those challenges.
NJASA will sponsor Techspo 2009 in late January in Atlantic City. The annual statewide technology exhibition and training conference for school leaders will help those who attend learn methods to most effectively utilize technology in order to teach our school children. We will discuss how educational technology can improve academic achievement, the best tools to use, and establish a dialogue as to how technology can be used to benefit New Jersey school districts and students.
Educating our children has always been paramount with New Jersey’s Chief Education Officers. That will continue to be the main goal of superintendents and school administrators in 2009. Looking back on some key events of 2008, creating forums such as the Superintendents Summit, and continuing to sponsor exhibitions such as Techspo will prepare our members to move education forward in 2009 by providing the best environment for New Jersey school children.
As the new year begins, the goal remains the same – creating the best possible learning environment for our school children. The New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA) has taken as part of its mission to best prepare its members for 2009 and the years ahead. Our first Superintendents Summit in late October created a forum for members to discuss the challenges they face in providing effective leadership, as well as approaches and best practices to overcome those challenges.
NJASA will sponsor Techspo 2009 in late January in Atlantic City. The annual statewide technology exhibition and training conference for school leaders will help those who attend learn methods to most effectively utilize technology in order to teach our school children. We will discuss how educational technology can improve academic achievement, the best tools to use, and establish a dialogue as to how technology can be used to benefit New Jersey school districts and students.
Educating our children has always been paramount with New Jersey’s Chief Education Officers. That will continue to be the main goal of superintendents and school administrators in 2009. Looking back on some key events of 2008, creating forums such as the Superintendents Summit, and continuing to sponsor exhibitions such as Techspo will prepare our members to move education forward in 2009 by providing the best environment for New Jersey school children.
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