A press release published yesterday from Newark Public Schools acclaims the glory that emanated from a parent conference called “Hope Grows A New Beginning Through Learning.” “We are committed to providing opportunities for our parents, guardians, and caregivers to experience continuous learning as outlined in The Next Decade: 2020-30,” boasts Superintendent Roger León.

An article published yesterday from Chalkbeat reports on an online survey that sought to “find out how Newark students and school staffers are faring this school year.” From the survey results: “Nearly 90% of respondents said their schools do not have enough teachers, 64% said they have too few custodians, 45% said the same about food service workers, and 38% cited a shortage of security guards.”

I’m sensing a theme: Let’s call it two tales of one city, redux, a pattern of cognitive dissonance between district promotion and community despair. We saw this just two weeks ago when, at a school board meeting, Newark Superintendent León ebulliently announced “Dreams are coming true” for Newark’s district students. Concurrently, new data revealed that four out of five students flunked the state math test.

Let’s look more closely at these conflicting visions, one representing the astroturf view of the district Central Office and the other representing the grassroots view from staff members who are actually in the schools.

Press release: “’There were a lot of First Avenue parents who joined and they were very happy with the content presented,’ said Ms. Aquino, Parent Liaison from First Avenue Elementary School.”

Survey: “Student behaviors are the worst I’ve ever seen in the 11 years I’ve worked here.”

Press release: “I’ could not be more proud of this conference.  Every part of this day was well thought out and designed with excellence!  There was a session for everyone, from Pre-K to postsecondary,; stated Deputy Superintendent Nicole T. Johnson.”  

Survey: “’My classroom is very crowded!’ said a kindergarten teacher, adding that her room has just 22 desks for 35 students.”

Press release: “Ms. Dawn Haynes said, ‘As a parent and President of the Newark Board of Education, I am thrilled with the quality of the presenters and content of this year’s Title I Conference.  I can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year.'” 

Survey: “’More teachers are quitting,’ one person wrote. ‘Our principal is struggling to find qualified certified teachers to replace the ones we have lost or are losing.’  ‘Teacher morale is not good,’ another educator added, ‘and I am concerned that some colleagues may decide to change careers.’”

It’s easy to dismiss the divergence in outlook as humdrum hype, much like the Murphy Administration’s Department of Education touts its “Number 1” status as the best state education system in the country while redefining high school diplomas to represent seat time, not readiness for college or careers. Yet it’s so much more than that as we confront unprecedented learning challenges. Can we at least be honest about what New Jersey students and families are up against?