ELC STAFF IN THE NEWS

The work of Education Law Center staff members is often highlighted in local, statewide and national press because of its relevance to significant and topical education issues, including school funding, preschool, school facilities, special education, and more.

In recent weeks, ELC attorneys have had the opportunity to weigh in on education policy issues covered by a variety of media outlets. In case you missed this coverage, please use the links below to read about our work:

  • Special Education: At the end of October, ELC Senior Attorney Ruth Lowenkron was interviewed by “Chaser” Sibile Marcus for the television show “Chasing New Jersey,” which appears on the My9 Network. A TV crew visited the ELC offices and filmed Ruth as she answered questions about a story that first appeared in the Star-Ledger about the possible misuse of taxpayer money allocated to private schools serving children with special needs. Watch the entire segment here.
  • Preschool: Education Week reached out to ELC’s national expert, Molly Hunter, for background and insight about the current court case in North Carolina that will determine the fate of the state’s preschool program. The existing program was recently cut by the state legislature, and preschool advocates are challenging that action under a previous court decision requiring preschool to ensure that North Carolina children are ready to learn when they enter Kindergarten. Read the full story here.
  • School Funding 1: In early November, ELC’s Executive Director David G. Sciarra was interviewed at length for public radio station WHYY by education reporter Kevin McCorry. WHYY has served southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and all of Delaware for over 50 years. The segment was called “Should Pa. look to N.J. for a fair education formula to support public schools?” With NJ’s western neighbor facing a serious education funding crisis, including significant underfunding of the state’s highest need school districts, David discussed New Jersey’s school funding formula, which provides equitable resources for districts educating poor children and English language learners. Listen to the full interview here.
  • School Funding 2: Eduardo Porter, who writes the Economic Scene Column for the Wednesday Business section of the New York Times, interviewed David Sciarra for Porter’s November 6 column, “In Public Education, Edge Still Goes to Rich.” In addition to quoting David about the connection between academic standards and the resources needed to achieve them, Porter also linked to ELC’s “Is School Funding Fair? A National Report Card.” The Report Card rates all 50 states on the “fairness” of their school funding systems. Read the entire column here.

 

Press Contact:

Sharon Krengel
Policy and Outreach Director
skrengel@edlawcenter.org
973-624-1815, x 24

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Press Contact:
Sharon Krengel
Director of Policy, Strategic Partnerships and Communications
skrengel@edlawcenter.org
973-624-1815, x240