State of New Jersey
Executive Order #67

Governor James J. Florio

WHEREAS, it is critical to initiate changes in our education system to assure that all New Jersey students are prepared for the next century; and

WHEREAS, in 1990 the President of the United States and the Governors of all fifty States endorsed six national education goals for the year 2000; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey added a seventh goal -- expanding parental involvement in the schools; and

WHEREAS, the second annual report card issued by the New Jersey Department of Education assessing the State's progress toward meeting these goals has shown some advances but a need for further improvements; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative to have local communities involved in, and committed to, strategies for reaching these goals; and

WHEREAS, it is important to recognize the efforts of local communities by granting a State designation of New Jersey 2000 to communities who develop a plan to attain the seven educational goals; and

WHEREAS, a State advisory panel can assist in promoting Statewide education reform in New Jersey by advising the Governor on which communities to recommend for New Jersey 2000 designation and advising the Governor, the Legislature, and the Department of Education on issues regarding school reform in New Jersey;

NOW THEREFORE, I, JAMES J. FLORIO, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. There is hereby established the Governor's New Jersey 2000 Advisory Committee which shall be composed of not more than 30 individuals, appointed by the Governor, who shall be representative of a broad cross-section of the citizens of New Jersey, including, but not limited to, education organizations, local school districts, the higher education community, business and civic leaders, parents and students. Two co-chairs of the Committee shall be designated by the Governor from among the Committee members.

2. It shall be the charge and duty of the New Jersey 2000 Advisory Committee to:

(a) Advise the Governor on which communities to recommend for New Jersey 2000 designation, based on a review of their plans according to the criteria specified below;

(b) Promote the concept of New Jersey 2000 and encourage communities to meet the criteria;

(c) Review the criteria for designation and make recommendations for any changes to that criteria;

(d) Advise the Governor, the Legislature and the Department of Education on how to best promote desired school reforms;

(e) Encourage an active dialogue at the State and local level about school reform in general, including the recommendations of the Quality Education Commission;

(f) Advise the Department of Education on the allocation of any federal funds that may be provided for the support of this initiative; and

(g) Advise the Department of Education on the development of the annual State report on our progress toward the national goals.

3. The Committee shall review plans for New Jersey 2000 designation to see if the plans meet the following criteria:

A. Adoption of Goals

(1) The plan must identify who will be involved in the effort and show that those participating represent a sufficiently broad segment of the community including educators, parents, students, business and government leaders, social agencies, and others; and

(2) The plan must contain documentation of formal action by participants to adopt New Jersey 2000 goals and pledge support thereof.

B. Development of Strategy

(1) The plan must identify participants in implementation of strategy to attain the goals adopted by the community;

(2) The plan must contain documentation that participants assisted in developing the strategy; and

(3) The plan must include a strategy which meets the following conditions:

(i) identify planned activities in a concise and logical sequence;

(ii) identify who is responsible for conducting activities;

(iii) include a timeline for the completion of planned activities; and

(iv) describe resources committed to completion of activities.

C. Development of Progress Report

(1) The plan must contain a format/outline which will be used to report progress toward accomplishing the seven goals and the various program initiatives identified in the community's strategy;

(2) The plan must identify who is responsible for preparation and distribution of the progress report; and

(3) The plan must describe how and when the progress report will be distributed.

D. Plan and Support School Reform

The community's strategy must include the following:

(1) Activities designed to accomplish each of the seven New Jersey 2000 goals; and

(2) Efforts directed toward accomplishment of one or more of the following school reform measures:

- Curriculum framework and standards; - Preschool education; - Integrated social services for students in K-12; - Programs to ensure successful student outcomes for inner city students and those who are socially, economically, and emotionally disadvantaged; - School-based management; - Teacher in-service programs to increase teacher knowledge and skills in the areas of student learning and cognition, curriculum and assessment, and the influences of diversity in culture, communication, and learning style on teaching and learning; - Changes in the school schedule to provide more time and greater flexibility for new and existing programs; and - Integration of technology resources into educational programs;

4. The Committee is authorized to call upon any department, office, division or agency of the State to supply such data, reports and other information as it deems necessary and appropriate to discharge its responsibilities under this Order. Each department, office, division, or agency of the State is authorized and directed, to the extent not inconsistent with law, to cooperate with the Committee and to furnish it with such information and assistance as is necessary to accomplish the purpose of this Order.

5. Until such time as the members of the Committee are appointed, the Commissioner of Education shall review plans submitted for New Jersey 2000 designation based on the criteria set forth above and advise the Governor on which communities should receive that designation.

6. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this
16th day of October in the Year of Our
Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred and
Ninety Two, and of the Independence
of the United States, the Two Hundred
and Seventeenth.

/s/ JAMES J. FLORIO
GOVERNOR

Attest:

/s/ M. Robert DeCotiis
Chief Counsel to the Governor