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November 22, 2023
SCOOP: Gov. Murphy and NJ Education Commissioner Confirm Her Resignation
November 27, 2023BREAKING: Murphy’s Education Commissioner Is Out in January
This afternoon, buried on Black Friday, news broke that Acting Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan will leave in January. She has served in this position for three years.
This news was first reported by the New Jersey Globe, which noted as possible impetus for her removal “a sometimes rocky relationship with the New Jersey Education Association, the state’s largest teacher and public employee union.”
While details are scant, one insider said Allen-McMillan was “never a good fit” for leading the state school system through a pandemic and moderating the heated culture wars that have distracted the Department of Education from its fundamental role of overseeing the education of NJ’s 1.3 million students. For example, legislators and education leaders have criticized her lackadaisical approach to addressing the severe learning loss endured by students due to COVID school closures. Last month Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz commented on the weak tutoring program led by the DOE,” There is no sense of urgency from the state in creating an expedited, resourced, and tried program to help support our teachers and our students in this post-pandemic time.”
Allen-McMillan has also received criticism for lowering reading and math proficiency standards.
It is unclear whether this was Allen-McMillan’s personal decision or one that came from the Governor’s Office. Gov. Murphy has not said who will replace her.
This is a developing story.
5 Comments
There now needs to be a complete reassessment of NJDOE and indeed, the recent practice of lowering academic standards for teachers. The first focus should be on reinstating regional accreditation and ousting national accreditation for the sake of teacher programs.
It will be business as usual after Allen-McMillan’s departure. She may not have pleased everyone, but she certainly was not the sole cause of NJ’s educational disruption.
For example, Senator Ruiz may complain about the status quo, focusing on tutoring woes at this point, but she has also put blinders on regarding the acceptance of lackluster accreditation for colleges by the DOE and the abysmal short cuts advocated by NJCTL and on a broader level, the NJEA. If she cares, she would visit the certification office and see firsthand what is, or is not, happening to benefit the teacher population and its students. That means, she should speak directly to the prime staff, not evasive management, but what is the likelihood of that occurring? Next to none!
Anyone can criticize from outside the circle. It takes real leadership to get involved and remedy problems.
So, this Commissioner departs. Another will take her place, and it won’t change a bloody thing. Reminds me of that verse from a classic Who tune: “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.” The Murphy hierarchy never does any more than switch pawns.
So, this Commissioner Allen-McMillan departs. Another will take her place, and it won’t change a bloody thing. Reminds me of that verse from a classic Who tune: “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.” The Murphy hierarchy never does any more than switch pawns.
I imagine this will have little impact on how NJDOE is run. However, NJ ED REPORT deserves a pat on the back for at least getting the information out there. That’s more than what other sources can boast.