HOBOKEN CHALLENGES IMPACT OF CHARTER EXPANSION ON STUDENTS- RACIAL SEGREGATION AND LOSS OF FUNDING KEY ISSUES

Pier C Park- Hoboken, NJ 

The following is a story posted by the Education Law Center. The issue involves an appeal of the recent NJ Department of Education's decision to renew and expand the charter for the Hola Dual Language Program located in Hoboken, NJ. The appeal claims that the NJDOE failed to address a number of key impact factors on the Hoboken School District before reaching its decision to approve the renewal and expansion of the charter for Hola. -Dr. Petrosino

April 24, 2014

On April 14, the Hoboken Board of Education filed an appeal of the NJ Department of Education’s (NJDOE) decision to renew and expand the Hoboken Dual Language Charter School known as HoLa. In its petition, Hoboken details how the expanded charter school will exacerbate racial imbalance in the Hoboken schools and reduce funding available to students in district schools.

Hoboken argues the NJDOE failure to assess the impact of the HoLa expansion on the district’s racial balance and funding levels is a violation of the guarantee of a “thorough and efficient education” in the NJ constitution. Hoboken asks that the decision to approve the expansion be set aside so that NJDOE can undertake the constitutionally-required assessments.

The student demographic differences between the HoLa charter and district schools are stark. In 2012-13, 75% of the students enrolled in Hoboken schools were African-American or Latino. That same year, minority students comprised 39% of HoLa enrollment.

“Education Law Center supports Hoboken’s call for a comprehensive analysis by the NJDOE of the impact of charter expansion on district students,” said David Sciarra, ELC Executive Director. “The Legislature and the Court have made clear that the Department must consider student segregation and the ability to provide a thorough and efficient education before granting a charter application, renewal or expansion. This is essential to ensure charter schools improve, and not undermine, education for all Hoboken students.” -Sharon Krengel

To read the full article CLICK HERE 

To read the full legal appeal CLICK HERE