With all the talk about evil in the public schools in New Jersey, we must not forget that one of the best systems in the country. It would be nice to have a cry of Gov. Chris Christie to hear about it from time to time.
New Jersey has the highest graduation rate in the country, according to a recent report by Education Week, a trade magazine. About 87 percent of our graduate students. And only four other countries have increased the highest ranking we've done from 1998 to 2008, year of data examined.
It's not all. New Jersey also did better than other states in matters of the achievement gap with the highest percentage of Spanish students and African American graduates.
Of course we can do even better: the gap between races and ethnic groups remain deep. Our graduation rate for white students was 90.9 percent, while for black students was 72.6 percent and for Latin American students, 68 percent.
The cities also struggle disproportionately with the drop, the statistics show. Across the country, urban neighborhoods have a graduation rate of about 61 percent below the national average of about 72 percent, according to a report last week Education. Some say it is worse in Newark. The former superintendent Clifford Janey calculated graduation rate of 55 percent in 2010.
But nationally, the best is definitely something to celebrate. Our success rate is essential not only for children but also for the state's business climate. The graduates have a higher income level and can meet our skilled workforce, currently estimated by Forbes magazine as the 20 in the country to contribute - firmly in the first half of the states.
Give thanks to our public schools, because education is a big part of that.
New Jersey has the highest graduation rate in the country, according to a recent report by Education Week, a trade magazine. About 87 percent of our graduate students. And only four other countries have increased the highest ranking we've done from 1998 to 2008, year of data examined.
It's not all. New Jersey also did better than other states in matters of the achievement gap with the highest percentage of Spanish students and African American graduates.
Of course we can do even better: the gap between races and ethnic groups remain deep. Our graduation rate for white students was 90.9 percent, while for black students was 72.6 percent and for Latin American students, 68 percent.
The cities also struggle disproportionately with the drop, the statistics show. Across the country, urban neighborhoods have a graduation rate of about 61 percent below the national average of about 72 percent, according to a report last week Education. Some say it is worse in Newark. The former superintendent Clifford Janey calculated graduation rate of 55 percent in 2010.
But nationally, the best is definitely something to celebrate. Our success rate is essential not only for children but also for the state's business climate. The graduates have a higher income level and can meet our skilled workforce, currently estimated by Forbes magazine as the 20 in the country to contribute - firmly in the first half of the states.
Give thanks to our public schools, because education is a big part of that.
