Dr. Jennifer Robinson Believes NJ Schools “Rule”

In 2021, Education Week and US News and World Report both named New Jersey the number one state for education, based on factors like achievement, socioeconomic support, college readiness, graduations rates, and reading and math scores.

Dr. Jennifer Robinson, Professor of Teaching and Learning and Executive Director of the Center of Pedagogy, was quoted in a NJFamily.com article, noting that all certified teachers in New Jersey must have a minimum of 30 college credits in the subject area(s) they will teach. “That requirement alone means most teachers have both basic and advanced knowledge about the subjects they are teaching when they enter the classroom,” Dr. Robinson says.

Mandatory professional development aligned with evaluations, compulsory knowledge of district and school priorities and a requirement that all first-year students have an on-site mentor, also speak to the high expectations put on our educators.

Additionally, “We spend a lot of money in taxes and distribution of federal dollars on our children’s education, which means we can provide state-of-the-art experiences for our students,” says Dr. Robinson. And it works—for some. “Low-income communities may not have the dollars to spend on their children and it leads to inequitable education,” she adds. To help level the field, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill into law reimbursing districts that study consolidation, offering financial incentives for those that decide to join forces.