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Contact: Bob DeSando
609-633-9788
For Release: February 9, 2000

Task Force to Host Focus Groups On Draft Early Childhood Education Expectations

An external task force appointed in September by state Commissioner of Education David C. Hespe to create developmentally appropriate expectations for preschool children has scheduled three focus groups to discuss its draft proposal.

The draft expectations, which are linked to New Jersey's core curriculum content standards, represent an attempt by the task force to address the needs of young children attending early childhood education programs throughout the state. Since October, the task force has been reviewing existing early childhood initiatives in New Jersey, relevant literature and other state's preschool expectations to develop the draft expectations document.

Members of the early childhood education community have been invited to provide their input by participating in a focus group. The sessions are scheduled for:

  • Monday, February 14, 2000

    • Rowan University
    Student Center Ballroom
    201 Mullica Hill Road
    Glassboro, NJ
    4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

  • Wednesday, February 16, 2000

    • Katzenbach School for the Deaf
    Jochem Center
    320 Sullivan Way
    West Trenton, NJ
    4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

  • Thursday, February 17, 2000

    • Kean University
    Downs Hall Cafeteria
    1000 Morris Avenue
    Union, NJ
    4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Registration is requested to attend one of the focus groups, which are open to the press. To register, contact the Division of Early Childhood Education at 609-777-2074. A copy of the draft document can be obtained from the Department of Education website at http://www.state.nj.us/njded/ece/ .

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