Bateman: New Education Recommendations Require Vigorous Debate

Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman a member of the Senate Education committee issued the following statement regarding the governor's new high school education initiatives.

"I welcome the governor's initiatives that would strengthen the math and science curriculum in our secondary systems. Every study that is released shows that students in the United States trail their peers in other developed nations in these two areas of study.

"We need to increase the standards in math and science if we hope to compete in the global economy in the new century. However, in order to be credible, the governor must go back to the drawing board and rethink the school funding formula that was rammed through the legislature in the lame duck session last year.

"An equitable school funding formula that helps all students achieve at the highest level must be a part of any revision in the state's high school curriculum standards. I look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to ensure that New Jersey's high school graduates are well prepared for college and the new global economy."