Gov. Chris Christie (R)
Date of Speech: Jan. 14
Gov. Christie gave a State of the State address that put key K-12 education changes at the top of his 2014 to-do list.
The Republican chief executive’s highest-profile education plan is to lengthen the school year and school day. He said that more time in school is necessary in an increasingly competitive global workplace. “Our school calendar is antiquated both educationally and culturally. ... These children need more time in school, some to catch up, some to excel,” said the governor, who gave no details of his proposal.
Gov. Christie praised the superintendents of the state-run school systems of Newark and Camden for the improvements they’re trying to make in those embattled districts. And he drew attention to education changes for which he led the charge in the last few years, including limiting teacher tenure and expanding charter schools.
