The Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey strongly supports A-2810 (Fuentes/Schaer), the Opportunity Scholarship Act. It is no secret that a well educated workforce is important to business and to ensuring a strong economy. We believe that the Opportunity Scholarship Act is a critical step forward in stemming the tide of students who are products of chronically failing schools – that is, schools whose students are deemed “partially proficient” in State assessment of math and/or language arts. The Opportunity Scholarship Act provides a mechanism for parents of students in these schools a choice which can mean the difference between a continued cycle of poverty and underemployment to one that holds a brighter future, with greater earning potential for their children.
It is widely recognized that New Jersey has among the highest spending per pupil costs in the country, with no corresponding educational improvement. While nationally per pupil spending increased on average 27.9% between 2002-2003 and 2007-2008, New Jersey’s per pupil spending increased a staggering 35.1% (according the Education Intelligence Agency). SAT scores have hovered around the same numbers since 1987. More than three quarters of community college students require remedial education in basic skills, including reading, writing and math.
There are great schools in New Jersey that have produced outstanding graduates who have made major contributions to society. We believe that every student should be afforded the same opportunity.
The Opportunity Scholarship Act provides an option to the families of students in some of the lowest performing schools in the State to obtain an education that will give their children a better chance to be a productive member of society and to better prepared for college or the workforce.
Businesses do have a stake in the education of children – their future workforce, and it is fitting that corporations be incentivized to invest in their future workforce by contributing a Scholarship Organization. We support the regional nature of these organizations, as well to ensure that every region of the state, including Southern New Jersey, gets its fair share.
We urge the members of the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee to vote “yes” on A-2810.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
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