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NJ SSI is a statewide partnership, and many
organizations have contributed to its successes. Among the partnership's
many accomplishments:
- New Jersey has developed and adopted Core Curriculum Content Standards
in mathematics, science and five other academic areas, plus standards relating
to workplace readiness.
- New Jersey has adopted a statewide strategic plan for systemic reform
(which cites the NJ SSI initiative as a model for the state).
- New Jersey has developed and disseminated Mathematics and Science Frameworks,
extensive guides to help teachers and administrators implement state standards.
- New Jersey has transformed its statewide testing program by developing
new fourth-, eighth-, and eleventh-grade assessments aligned with state
standards, including open-ended items to assess higher-order thinking and
adding disciplines such as science for the first time.
- New Jersey has established 21 Educational Technology Training Centers,
one in each county, to provide educators with professional development in
the use of technology to enhance standards implementation and improve student
achievement.
- New Jersey has adopted policy requiring all teachers to complete at least
100 hours of professional development activities every five years.
- NJ SSI administered a K-8 Professional Development Initiative, providing
teachers with 120 hours of professional development aimed at building content
knowledge and improving instructional methodology by emphasizing hands-on,
inquiry-focused, standards-based activities.
- NJ SSI administered a K-12 District-Based Systemic Improvement Initiative
providing incentive funding to 32 districts to develop structural changes
and improvements in science and mathematics; in each district, a strategic
planning task force determined specific reforms to address standards-based
curriculum, student assessment, professional development, and equity.
- Since 1997, NJ SSI has administered a Standards
Implementation Initiative that has helped 100 districts implement
exemplary standards-based mathematics and science curricula materials
and make extensive improvements in instruction and assessment. In the
2002-03 school year, several more districts will be funded under this
Initiative.
- NJ SSI has established Regional Centers
to serve schools throughout the state; each Regional Center includes
a Resource Center to support implementation of standards-based curricula.
Regional Centers provide professional development, technical assistance
and strategic planning assistance to districts and broker other services
to meet local needs.
- NJ SSI has designated Specialty Sites
to support Regional Centers in serving schools and teachers around the
state; these sites offer assistance in special areas of mathematics,
science, use of technologies and parental involvement.
- NJ SSI has provided technical assistance to districts by bringing national
experts into the state to introduce, demonstrate, and promote use of high-quality,
standards-aligned, research-based programs; topics have included equity,
algebra for all, and alternative assessments.
- NJ SSI has supported the FANS project (Families Achieving the New Standards
in Mathematics, Science, and Technology) of the New Jersey Mathematics Coalition,
a public outreach project that has reached 30,000 parents.
- NJ SSI has prepared and distributed three Resource
Guides: The Resource Guide to Curriculum Programs in Mathematics and
Science; an Informal
Science Resource Guide to museums, science centers, and other community
agencies, and the Technology Resource Guide.
- NJ SSI has established committees and Advisory Councils to make policy
recommendations regarding evaluation; teacher preparation, certification,
induction, and retention; and urban issues.
- In 2000, NJ SSI developed a 12-day Partnership
Program for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Technology that
all Regional Centers run. During the program, Leadership Teams from
Districts analyze student assessment and other district data. They use
the data to develop Strategic Plans for the implementation of standards-based
curriculum, instruction and assessment that will lead to increased achievement
for all students.
- NJ SSI has sponsored several statewide conferences and showcases focusing
on technology, mathematics and science curriculum programs, and urban issues.
Overall Impact at the District, School, and Classroom Level
- Since 1993, NJ SSI and its partners have impacted over 40,000 teachers
and administrators and over 1,900 schools, 85 percent of all schools in
New Jersey.
- Since 1993, NJ SSI and its partners have encouraged or helped 1,980 schools
to implement new or revised standards-based curricula; these schools enroll
90 percent of all the students in the state.
- In 1999-2000 alone, NJ SSI and its partners worked with 370 districts,
1,234 schools, and 6,925 teachers.
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