Jersey gets extra year to train rest of its teachers Thursday, August 17, 2006 • BY JOHN MOONEY • Star-Ledger Staff New Jersey received federal approval yesterday for its plan to bring the last of its public school teachers up to new standards under the No Child Left Behind act. The state reported this week that 96 percent of its public school classes are led by teachers who have reached the new federal standard that requires they show mastery in the subject they teach. But the U.S. Department of Education had demanded 100 percent compliance by this year, and New Jersey sought another year for its remaining 4 percent, or about 3,000 teachers. No state made the deadline for training all its teachers. The Department of Education announced full approval of New Jersey's plan yesterday, along with full approval for eight other states that sought extended deadlines or other conditions. All 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico had submitted plans; 39 received partial approval and four were rejected outright. Failure to comply with No Child Left Behind puts a state's federal education funding at risk. "We were one of just nine states to get full approval, and we're very pleased about that," said Jay Doolan, acting assistant education commissioner for New Jersey. However, deep gaps remain in compliance between the state's suburban and urban districts. The average rate of classes taught by "highly qualified" teachers in high-poverty districts was down to 91 percent -- and, in some schools, as low as 50 to 60 percent. A national report last week by Education Trust, a respected Washington think tank, said New Jersey and most other states had failed in their plans to address ways to recruit and retain more experienced teachers in high-poverty and high-minority schools. Yesterday, the organization commended New Jersey for receiving federal approval but said it still has a way to go to address the broader worry that its urban districts typically have less-qualified and less-experienced teachers. "My question for New Jersey is: How are they defining whether minority children have access to qualified teachers and those with experience?" said Heather Peske, a senior associate with Education Trust. The federal standards do not specify requirements for teacher experience. "But remember, they are the floor of teacher quality," Peske said. "They should only be met as a minimum." John Mooney covers education. He may be reached at jmooney@starledger.com, or (973) 392-1548. © 2006 The Star-Ledger. Used by NJ.com with permission.