A Return to Atlantic City for Major Ed. Confrences

NJEA Convention returns to A.C.

A focus on student equality and teacher quality

Published on Thursday, October 25, 2012

Equal educational opportunity and high quality teacher evaluation will be front and center at the 158th annual NJEA Convention November  8-9 in Atlantic City

This is the latest in a line of effective major educational conferences in New Jersey education to return to AC.  This is big for Education and even bigger for New Jersey as the conferences generate substantial revenue at the local and regional level; however, much of Atlantic City revenue is redistributed throughout the state in the form of state revenues that are counted on for balancing the annual budget.

Many state associations affiliated with education conduct annual workshops and meetings over a three day conference in the city that was equipped for such events such as the Association of School Business Administrators (NJASBO) and the Association of School Administrators (NJASA) along with other groups bringing major dollars into the economy.  New Jersey School Boards Association for example generates over $7 million dollars of revenue for the city and region each year during their October conference; however, revenue is not the driving force behind the meetings which are designed to provide enhanced learning opportunities through a plethora of action labs, communication forums, small group discussions and a floor show featuring a wide array of services and products specifically designed for schools and school leaders to better assist in the deliver of instruction in a cost effective manner that addresses student performance and fiscal responsibility to the tax payer.

Chapter 78 better known as the Accountability Regulation or Travel Regs severely dampened this time honored tradition of summoning or convening of an assembly for a common purpose of improving education in the State of New Jersey. 

At the heart of the over restrictive regulations is the fact that educational conferences were capped at two night stays as opposed to the customary three nights that allowed for travel prior to the first full day of workshop.  Additionally, the law restricted overnight stays to greater than 50 miles from the conference; therefore, effectively diminishing the participation of many districts due to the inability to fully enjoy the conference as travel each day is not realistic and often places the member with choices of specific selection in the participation of a major learning opportunity.

Let's face it, we always need to ensure there is integrity, financial oversight and clear accountability in all public activities; however, is it any less important in other branches of industry or the public sector such as the League of Municipalities which I am also a member and participate in the learning and networking opportunities each year in Atlantic City without such burdensome regulations.

A full scale return to Atlantic City for all major conferences not only makes sense from the perspective of learning, sharing and networking; it allows delegates and members of all associations formulate platforms, goals and professional development opportunities while at the same time providing much revenue that creates and sustains jobs!