When Does a Person in a Doctoral Program Become a Doctor? When Should the Title Be Used?

If you’ve ever looked into earning a doctorate degree, you may have come across two similar terms: Doctoral student and doctoral candidate. Although to some people these two terms might mean the same thing, future doctorate degree holders and Board of Education members should know that there is a clear difference between the two. Also, when can a person actually use the term "Doctor" or "Dr." as part of their professional/personal identity and/or title. 

A doctoral student is someone who has enrolled in a doctorate degree program. Doctoral students, sometimes called learners, may work through their studies online, on campus or both. A typical doctoral program will require students to complete a certain number of credits in coursework and successfully pass qualifying exams. This process is followed by the dissertation research, writing and defense.

A doctoral student is different from a doctoral candidate in that the student is still working through the coursework. They have not yet begun the dissertation process or passed the qualifying exams.

A doctoral candidate is someone who has completed all of the required coursework and has successfully passed their qualifying exams. Once this milestone is reached, the individual attains the unofficial status of all but dissertation (ABD).

When are you considered to be a doctor? It is only appropriate to use the title "Dr." when you are a graduate, ie, when the degree is conferred either in notice by letter or by ceremony (which ever comes first). Prior to that your status is that of a graduand. If you've been using the work-title doctoral candidate you might consider changing to Doctoral Graduand to indicate this status: that you're awaiting conferral but you've met the substantive criteria for fulfillment of your degree.

According to Wikipedia, at Drew University in New Jersey, the earned Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) program requires the completion of 45 graduate credit hours beyond the master's degree, including the successful development and defense of a 150–220 page doctoral dissertation

A Micro-Level Study of New Jersey's Amistad Legislation- Christine Morrison Johnson

Here is a link to the thesis work of Christine Johnson, current superintendent of the Hoboken School District. The degree in D. Litt from Drew University's Caspersen School of Graduate Studies was awarded in 2022. (Link: CLICK HERE TO VIEW) 

	Christine Morrison Johnson  A Micro-Level Study of New Jersey's Amistad Legislation
	ABSTRACT: The landscape of New Jersey public school districts is filled with mandates. Each year, district administrators, school principals, and teachers are faced with implementing new mandates in classrooms across the state. Mandates set forth by state or federal governments often fail to be implemented and, ultimately, institutionalized in schools' standard operating procedures or their curricular and instructional frameworks because they are so far removed from classroom teachers and from those that develop improvement efforts and administer school district policy. New Jersey's Amistad law enacted in 2002, has suffered this exact fate.  The purpose of the 2002 Amistad legislation is to weave the experiences, contributions, and perspectives of African Americans into the fabric of New Jersey's social studies instruction. Implementation of the law, however, has been remarkably slow. Even with good faith steps taken over the past 20 years, the vast majority of school districts across the state have yet to fully implement the Amistad mandate. While macro-level impediments to implementing the Amistad law are examined, this micro-level study will serve not only to acknowledge the monumental passage of the 2002 Amistad law, recognize its authors, and highlight its goals and objectives, but also to analyze the shortcomings of the implementation process and outline specific actions in a strategic implementation plan to ensure that all school districts across the state are fully complying with this landmark mandate.  For the sake of moving forward, the Amistad law's path from inception to implementation must be chronicled. Readily available statewide best practice models, districtwide readiness with regard to curricular and professional development, a system of accountability measures, and a strategic implementation plan are acutely needed. This groundbreaking mandate's injunction for schools to shift away from traditional, Eurocentric social studies curricula and instruction to a more representative and culturally-responsive model, especially in a profoundly diverse state, is certainly laudable and critical to the self-efficacy of all of New Jersey's students.
	The Caspersen School of Graduate Studies, Drew University
	DEGREE/YEAR: D.Litt. (2022)
	ADVISOR: William B Rogers
	William B Rogers  Linda Swerdlow
	CJohnson.pdf - requires Drew uLogin

 

Fundraiser for Madison on GoFundMe

 Madison Ramos, to know her is to love her. She was a beautiful soul inside out. Funny, witty, sarcastic, loving, caring, & the mother hen of the family.

On her 17th birthday day, Maddy was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer AML (leukemia). The last 8 months has been a roller coaster for her & family and unfortunately the Lord called her home too soon. All proceeds will be used towards funeral arrangements and to bless the family. Thank you in advance.

There is currently a GOFUNDME page set up to help the family.

GOFUNDME LINK:  https://gofund.me/94c20b4c

Madison Ramos 

The Advanced Placement Program and Educational Inequality

Richard Tremitiedi (1938-2023) 

Often in under performing high schools like Hoboken High School in Hoboken, New Jersey, school boards and superintendents tout "advancement placement" (AP) courses as some type of indication that the school/district is providing a rigorous curriculum and associated course work. However, research shows that expanding access to AP courses without addition incentives or support for disadvantaged students to succeed is unlikely to address educational inequality. 70% of Hoboken High School students qualify for free or reduced lunch. 

The Advanced Placement Program and Educational Inequality 

ABSTRACT: The Advanced Placement (AP) program is nearly ubiquitous in American high schools and is often touted as a way to close racial and socioeconomic gaps in educational outcomes. Using administrative data from Michigan, I exploit variation within high schools across time in AP course offerings to identify the causal effect of AP course availability on college choice and degree attainment. I find that higher income students, White and Asian students, and higher-achieving students are more likely to take advantage of additional AP courses when they are offered, thus widening existing gaps in course-taking. I find little evidence that additional AP availability improves college outcomes for any students. Expanding access to AP courses without additional incentives or support for disadvantaged students to succeed is unlikely to address educational inequality. -Stephanie Owen- Colby College

You can read the full paper here: https://edworkingpapers.com/sites/default/files/ai23-738.pdf

2021-22 SAT Scores: Nation, State, Hudson County, and Hoboken Public School District

Most recent SAT scores 2021-22:

Nation: Math (521); Reading (529); Combined (1050)

New Jersey: Math (560); Reading (557); Combined (1117)

Hoboken HS: Math (458); Reading (487); Combined (945)

2021-22 data indicates that combined SAT scores at Hoboken HS fall below what would be expected at other Hudson County public high schools even when considering the percentage of low income students enrolled at the high school. 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Reference:

https://patch.com/new-jersey/holmdel-hazlet/nj-sat-scores-released-2022-every-high-school-ranked https://nj1015.com/best-worst-sat-scores-nj/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

Board of Education Agenda - March 14, 2023 - 2023-24 Budget Introduced; 2.5% Merit Increase for Superintendent; 70 page agenda

Below is the full detailed agenda for the March 14, 2023 Hoboken Board of Education Agenda. Many items on this agenda-- perhaps the most important is 

1) the introduction of the 2023-24 school budget. 10.08 Approval of a Tentative Hoboken Public School District Budget for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year.

2) Also included is item 9.20 which is a merit increase for the superintendent for reaching qualitative goals. This will be a 2.5% increase although the agenda does not specify what criteria the superintendent met.

According to an article in PATCH in 2022, the superintendent made approximately 193,778 in 2019. 

CHRISTINE JOHNSON, District Office, Hoboken Public School District, 6, $193,778

3) 10.08 WHEREAS, the Superintendent and Business Administrator recommend to the members of the Hoboken Board of Education a Local Tax Levy of $61,966,437 to support the 2023- 2024 General Fund Budget in the amount of $75,123,815

HBOE Full Agenda - March 2023 by Tony Petrosino on Scribd

October 2022 ASSA Report Shows Hoboken Non-Public Charter School Kindergarten Enrollment Continues to Fall

 In late November 2021, the Hoboken School District Administration and the Hoboken Board of Education attempted to push a $330 million bond to build a new high school in Hoboken because of "exploding" and "sky-rocketing" enrollment. Enrollment data was recently released by the NJDOE. Here is Kindergarten enrollment in Hoboken's non charter Public Schools for the 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 school years. With a decline of -27.5% over the past four school years, kindergarten enrollment in the Hoboken non-charter public schools is plummeting.

Click to Enlarge

October 2022 ASSA Report- Hoboken 

State of Emergency in Hoboken After Water Main Break

HOBOKEN, New Jersey (WABC) -- Crews continued to locate and isolate the water main break in Hoboken on Tuesday in order to conduct repairs and restore pressure. Veolia has not issued a boil water advisory and according to Veolia, the water is safe to drink but residents throughout the city will continue to experience low to no water pressure. A construction crew working on an unrelated project mistakenly struck a water main, a 16-inch pipe, on Observer Highway and Madison Street, sending jets of water streaming into streets, snarling traffic, and forcing pedestrians to tip-toe around the water. The city remains in a state of emergency and drivers are advised to avoid southwest Hoboken.

BREAKING: HOBOKEN HOSPITAL EVACUATES: FULL STORY

Hoboken water main break making regional news. WCBS-News2  WNBC-News4 WABC-Channel 7 Eyewitness News WPIX-11

CLICK TO TWITTER LINK BELOW SEE THE WATER MAIN BREAK EARLIER 

https://twitter.com/hudpost/status/1630284026324955141?s=20

WATCH WATER SPOUTING OUT OF GROUND: https://twitter.com/HobbitMetalhead/status/1630414739615494146?s=20

TAKEN FROM SOCIAL MEDIA: 

Stores are closing on Washington Street. Restaurants are having to shut down all over Hoboken. Word is that a PSE&G contractor caused this situation. Schools have been canceled as well. It does not appear that the water main break will be fixed today and it may not be fixed tomorrow. Some people are saying this is the worst situation in Hoboken since Sandy in 2012. 

“Water Buffalos” like this one are set up around #Hoboken. Residents must bring containers to fill up. Locations: HUMC, 220 Adams, 221 Jackson, 311 13th (Fox Hills), 4th & Harrison, 76 Bloomfield, 5th & Clinton.  

From social media: An estimate of time would help residents better understand the scope of the problem. Will we have water back in next 24hrs? Yes or No?Why isn't there drinkable water tanks uptown?Having no time line is simply unacceptable.

Water main breaks are unpredictable but assigning police to direct traffic should happen.  Hoboken had one policewoman in the midst of a mess at the main access roads downtown.  It looked like Mumbai.  Cars were all over the place & making it impossible to drive.  Dangerous. -@padrehoboken

Just saw a few Hoboken fire trucks Sirens blasting heading somewhere. You know this water crisis is bad now, but this could get even worse real quick. I don’t think those fire hydrants have any pressure, so whatever water they are carrying, they better have enough. -@sdl300

Hoboken Public Schools were notified at 11:40 PM by the Office of Emergency Management that our schools will need to shift from a delayed opening to a closure of all of our PK sites and all of our K-12 schools on Tuesday, Feb 28th as a result of the water main break

I don't know who is responsible for causing hoboken residents to be without water yesterday, today and looks like tomorrow as well, But shouldn't they be held accountable?

While the water coolers are appreciated, I believe everyone should have convenient access to the water. Put them throughout all neighborhoods in need of them. - Facebook

The water main breaks in Hoboken - regardless of reason - have gotten to a level where legal action is required. Whether it’s a class action against @CityofHoboken,  @VeoliaUK, @VeoliaWaterTech or all of them and more. Time to take action.

UPDATE (Feb 28, 2023): "Veolia is advising residents that they should unfortunately plan for a continued disruption in water service tonight (Tuesday) and into tomorrow morning." -

@HeinisHardNews

Its official 1st ward has no water.... Water jug in front of MVP 2, get your pots!!

https://twitter.com/sofrsogood/status/1630659275193196564?s=20

Alert Details

Severity:
Minor - Minimal to no known threat to life or property

Urgency:
Immediate - Responsive action SHOULD be taken immediately

Certainty:
Observed - Determined to have occurred or to be ongoing

Category:
SAFETY: General emergency and Public Safety

Event Description:
Road Closure

Alert: City expands Water distribution; Update and FAQ from Mayor Bhalla 

Dear Nixle User,

Veolia is continuing to locate and isolate the water main break in order to conduct repairs and restore pressure.  Veolia has not issued a boil water advisory and according to Veolia, the water is safe to drink but residents throughout the city will continue to experience low to no water pressure. 

The City has added an additional 10 water distribution locations where residents can fill their own containers with drinkable water, with a focus on seniors and buildings and buildings with larger senior populations. 

The complete list of locations is as follows: 

1. 400 First Street 
2. 15 Church Towers 
3. 514 Madison Street 
4. 455 Ninth Street 
5. 11th and Shipyard Lane 
6. 14th and Shipyard Lane 
7. 700 First Street  
8. 4th and Jackson 
9. 2 Marine View Plaza 
10. Brandt School, on 9th Street between Park Avenue and Garden Street
11. Hoboken University Medical Center, on Clinton Street between Third and Fourth Streets.(location slightly updated) 
12. 220 Adams St.
13. 221 Jackson St.
14. Fox Hills, 311 13th St.   
15. Fourth and Harrison Streets 
16. Columbian Towers, 76 Bloomfield St. 
17. Church Towers,  5th and Clinton Streets 

 
The City will also have porta johns available for residents without water at the below locations starting at approximately 1:30 p.m.: 

1. YMCA, 1300 Washington St. 
2. 400 First Street 
3. 15 Church Towers 
4. 514 Madison Street 
5. 455 Ninth Street 
6. 11th and Shipyard Lane 
7. 14th and Shipyard Lane 
8. Hoboken University Medical Center, on Clinton Street between Third and Fourth Streets.(location slightly updated) 
9. 220 Adams St.
10. 221 Jackson St.
11. Fox Hills, 311 13th St.   
12. Fourth and Harrison Streets 
13. Columbian Towers, 76 Bloomfield St. 
14. Church Towers,  5th and Clinton Streets 

The Hoboken Fire Department will have a water tanker of non-drinkable water for dishwashing, bathing, toilet flushing, etc, available at the Hoboken Fire House at 13th Street and Washington Street. The Fire Department may use the tanker at various points throughout the day for fire suppression, as needed, so it may not be readily available at all hours. Residents must bring their own containers to fill. This water is not drinkable. 

The Office of Emergency Management has activated the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT.) CERT will visit the City's six senior buildings to assist Hoboken seniors in need of water and additional assistance. 

Below is an update and FAQ from Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla regarding the water main break. 
 
Unfortunately, the water main break that has affected water pressure and service to Hoboken remains ongoing. I completely understand the enormous disruptions to the daily lives of almost everyone in our Mile Square; residents have every right to be disappointed and upset at the situation. I too share in this disappointment, as both your Mayor and as a resident of Hoboken.
 
I want to use this opportunity to provide you with an update, and answers to some questions that have been posed on social media and by those who have reached out directly to me.
 
Is this water main break due to a development project or a City-related project?
 
No, the work that caused the water main break was not due to any City-related project, or work related to any redevelopment project.
 
What can we do to hold those responsible who broke the water main?
 
As mentioned in previous communication, it certainly appears a contractor for PSE&G damaged a water main near the Hoboken/Jersey City border on Observer Highway during their gas line upgrades, a project which has been ongoing. While Hoboken appreciates the upgrades to Hoboken’s gas infrastructure, this type of accident is inexcusable. Hoboken will conduct a thorough investigation to determine all relevant facts from the water main break.  Given the costs incurred and major frustrations we have all experienced due to this major disruption in service, we will hold all responsible parties accountable to the greatest extent possible.
 
Our primary focus at the moment is supporting Veolia’s efforts to isolate the broken water main and obtain additional drinking water for the City. However, once all repairs are done, I can assure residents that we will take all necessary and appropriate action.
 
When will water service be restored, and is there an ETA?
 
When the water main break was discovered, the next step for crews was to isolate the exact location of the break, so the main could be repaired and replaced. While Veolia had hoped to locate this precise location overnight, unfortunately they have been unable to do so. While Veolia has been taking additional steps including the installation of a linestop, which will mitigate the flow of water into the region of the break, the exact location has still yet to be found by their crews, as of Tuesday morning.
 
Their efforts have been further compounded by the large amount of underground infrastructure in the vicinity of the break. Only when the water main break is isolated, can repairs begin, and only when repairs begin, will water pressure return to a more normal level, with an eventual full return to service. Given that the source of the water main break has not been isolated yet (despite their best efforts, with crews working throughout the night) Veolia is unable to give a precise ETA on water pressure returning. Water pressure will continue to fluctuate, with some having little to no water pressure, while the water main break remains unrepaired. While I know this is disappointing to hear, as we all heavily rely on water service for everyday aspects of our daily lives.
 
Given the facts as presented to me at an emergency management meeting this morning, Veolia is advising residents that they should unfortunately plan for a continued disruption in water service tonight and into tomorrow morning. We will continue to stay in close contact with emergency crews to update residents on a more concrete time frame, as Veolia continues to diligently search for the source of the break.
 
Why did I have water pressure last night, after the water main broke earlier in the day, but I don’t have water pressure now?
 
Veolia determined that to help expedite repairs and to maintain some level of water pressure, without having to issue a boil water advisory, a switch to the Weehawken connection was necessary last night. Due to the change in water service, along with the unrepaired water main break, water pressure continues to fluctuate throughout the City. Additionally, during times of high-usage (during the morning and evening hours when more residents are home and using water), there are additional fluctuations and stresses on the system, that don’t normally occur when the system is fully operational.
 
Is the water safe to drink?
 
According to Veolia, there is no current boil water advisory, and the water has been deemed safe to drink. There may be some discoloration, as water pressure fluctuates. Residents are advised to run their water, if they have water pressure, to flush out any discoloration.
 
Why did we pick the locations for water buffalos (large water jugs) the way we did?
 
We have prioritized senior buildings, or locations with larger concentrations of senior populations that have been reported to be without water, as seniors don’t always have the ability to travel or drive to certain locations. We will continue to add stations with drinkable water as we obtain additional supplies, an effort which is ongoing.
 
What is Hoboken doing to upgrade its water main infrastructure?
 
One of my priorities when I became Mayor was to quickly adopt a new contract with SUEZ (now Veolia) to provide much more substantial investments in proactive upgrades to our water main system, as compared to previous years. In 2019, we adopted a new contract with SUEZ that provides $33 million in infrastructure upgrades through 2034, and an average of $2.2 million in water investments per year – six times the amount as compared to the previous contract.
 
As a result, we’ve been able to replace over 1.8 miles of our oldest water mains since then, and we’re currently in the process of asking the City Council to adopt a new contract next month, that will allow us to begin the second phase of this project to replace another 5,000 linear feet of water mains, scheduled to take place this spring.
 
While we can’t prevent every break from happening, especially a break that was apparently caused by circumstances outside of our control, we are making substantial and unprecedented investments in our water main infrastructure.
 
I hope this update has provided additional clarity. We will continue to work closely with Veolia, whose teams are working diligently to isolate the water main and conduct repairs as expeditiously as possible.

<iframe width="476" height="267" src="https://abc7ny.com/video/embed/?pid=12892860" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The initial rupture on Observer & Madison created a massive hole, making it difficult to isolate the main. Crews have worked all night to install a linestop, which will stop flow of water to the break and facilitate repairs.

Waiting line for water- Fox Hill Gardens 2/28/23

Presentations at the American Educational Research Conference- Chicago, APRIL 13-16, 2023

The American Educational Research Association (AERA), a national research society, strives to advance knowledge about education, to encourage scholarly inquiry related to education, and to promote the use of research to improve education and serve the public good.

The American Educational Research Association (AERA), founded in 1916, is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results. 

The following are presentations by and including Dr. Petrosino that will be made at the 2023 Meeting of the American Educational Research Association in Chicago. 

Petrosino, A. J., Sager, M. T., Washington, J., Sherard, M. K., Hughes, K., & Slabodsky, J. (2023, April). Perceptions of CSforALL and project based learning: Summary of findings from an RPP in NYC. American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, United States. 

              Abstract: We report on a Research Practice Partnership (RPP) between The University of Texas Austin and eleven New York City high schools examining how co-design of curriculum, instructional practices, and teacher supports encourage broad participation in Computer Science (CS). Pulling from literature grounded in project-based instruction (PBI) and learning in CS contexts to address one research question and report findings that highlight the instructional materials and strategies teachers implement in their CS courses, in addition to teachers and students’ perceptions around PBI. Our analysis revealed an increase in teachers’ perception toward thinking that PBI facilitates the reflection necessary for reinforcement of concepts and students were engaged with the course materials and felt a sense of belonging. 

 

Milton, S., Sager., M.T., Walkington, C., Petrosino, A.J., Dhingra, K. (2023, April). Learning when creating student centered mathwalks. American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, United States.

               Abstract: Math walks are place-based math activities where walkers can learn about how mathematical principles appear in their surroundings. Additionally, pulling from literature grounded in interest theory, informal learning, and problem posing, this study seeks to address three research questions and reports findings that highlight the impact of math walks on learners’ attitudes about mathematics, the types of questions learners pose and how they answer their questions, and finally, the challenges associated with posing mathematical problems. Our analysis revealed an increase in math learners’ self-efficacy, two different types of problems posed, and the need for agreement that questions posed to be feasible and reasonable to answer Future research in sustaining the gains in math attitudes is needed.

 

Kara, Y., Wright, A., Cunningham, L., Johns, R., Ticzon, C., & Petrosino, A. J. (2023, April 13-16). College access  program participants’ enrollment in postsecondary programs: An investigation of potential predictors [Conference presentation]. 2023 annual meeting of American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL, United Sates.

              Abstract: College degrees remain a critical pathway to employment and other social protective factors. Numerous college access programs are provided to high school students nationwide, yet insufficient evidence exists to identify highly effective programs, nor to replicate, and continuously improve. This study utilized data collected by program providers to examine predictors of enrollment in postsecondary settings. Characteristics of students’ school experiences emerged as the most explanatory variables; followed by characteristics of students themselves. Features of UB program involvement itself were weak predictors. Implications of the findings include discussion of the relative weight of school experiences compared to supplemental college access programming, and equity particularly as race emerged as a significant predictor in only one case. 

Wright, A., Kara, Y., , Cunningham, L., & Petrosino, A. J. (2023, April 13-16). Examining the effectiveness of the Upward Bound programs [Conference presentation]. 2023 annual meeting of American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL, United Sates.

            Abstract: This study aims at examining the effectiveness of the federally-funded Upward Bound programs administered in an urban southwestern city. In a collaboration with the program administrators and school district, an extensive dataset has been obtained and processed to compare the college enrollment status of the program participants and non-participants with similar backgrounds. A propensity score matching analysis is conducted to approximate the randomized control trial setting for a better examination of the true program effect. Initial findings are provided based on partially received data from specific years. Final analyses are planned to be performed on larger data that also cover former academic years.