N.J. Board Poised To Vote on Newark Takeover

By Mark Walsh

Caution is on the minds of both skeptics and state officials in New Jersey as the education department moves to take control of the state's largest school district.

The pending state takeover of the 48,000-student Newark district--the subject of numerous reports alleging mismanagement, waste, and abysmal student performance--comes just as lawmakers, education experts, and residents are reflecting on whether state control of other troubled urban districts is working.

New Jersey officials took over the Jersey City district in 1989 and the Paterson district in 1991. While the state has been credited with improving the management and physical condition of the schools in Paterson and Jersey City since taking control, academic results have...