Page 83 - EdViewptsSpring2021

it to the larger community for Conclusion School District has had success
feedback. The presentation informed in this undertaking through their
the community of both the process To achieve the goal of high quality inclusion of representatives from all
and the newly recommended criteria. education for all, districts should stakeholder groups, creating clear
The community had the opportunity to reexamine policies and procedures norms and identifying shared values,
provide written feedback, which was that place students in advanced and adhering to both a meeting and
considered, before the final approval. courses. Developing criteria that overarching structure. The authors
removes barriers and provides access hope that these insights will help other
and opportunity requires a strategic districts undergoing this important
approach. The Township of Union work. Onward.

Resources
Burris, C., & Welner, K. (2005). Closing the Achievement Gap by Detracking. Phi Delta Kappan, 86(8), 594–598.
Clark, B. (n.d.). Engage Your Stakeholders When Important Budget Decisions Must Be Made. https://www.nspra.org/e_
network/2012-11_goldstandard
College Board. (n.d.) Benefits of AP. https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/about-ap-20-21/discover-benefits

Cogan, L. S., Schmidt, W. H., Wiley, D. E. (2001). Who Takes What Math and in Which Track? Using TIMSS to Characterize
U.S. Students’ Eighth-grade Mathematics Learning. Education Evaluation and Policy Analysis. 23(4), 323–341.
Hatwood, M., & Gomez, J. (2008). Special Topic/How Tracking Creates a Poverty of Learning. Educational Leadership,
65(8), 74–78. http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/may08/vol65/num08/How-Tracking-Creates-a-
Poverty-of-Learning.aspx.
New Jersey Department of Education. (2020). School Performance Report 2018-2019: Township of Union School District.
https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/report.aspx?type=district&lang=english&county=39&district=5290&schoolyear=2018-2019#Pc92f
19ed314a4a14a2b823410aa9ef71_3_xA
Wexler, N. (2019, August 12). To end high school tracking, we need to end tracking in elementary school. Forbes. https://
www.forbes.com/sites/nataliewexler/2019/08/10/to-end-high-school-trackingwe-need-to-end-tracking-in-elementary-
school/?sh=619f127349a8.
Wyner, J. S., Bridgeland, J. M., & DiIulio, J. J. (2007). Achievement trap: How America Is Failing Millions of High-Achieving
Students From Lower-Income Families. Lansdowne, VA: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.

About the Authors
Nicole Ahern is currently the Supervisor of School Counseling K-12 for the Township of Union
Schools District. Her career in education has spanned twenty-three years as educator, School
Counselor, and administrator. In her current role, Nicole has been able to implement various initiatives
including the development of various student and parent programming and formalizing the scheduling
process. As the acting Anti-Bullying Coordinator for the district, she also ensures compliance with all
designated procedures.
Jeremy Cohen began his career as a fifth grade teacher. During that time, he graduated from
Bank Street College with a degree in Math Leadership. His days at Bank Street exposed him to
a progressive pedagogy. Equipped with this educational philosophy, his mathematics classroom
evolved into a place where children were actively engaged with materials, rich tasks, and each other.
Eventually, Jeremy completed a Ph.D., taught various levels of mathematics, and now serves as
a Mathematics Supervisor in Union. Jeremy has also worked as an adjunct instructor at Fordham
University and as a staff developer for the NYDOE Algebra for All project. Twitter: @drjeremyc
Randi Hutchinson began her career at Union High School teaching tenth and twelfth grade ELA
and designed new courses including Public Speaking. During that time, she earned her degree
in Educational Leadership from Kean University and, later, her CSA certificate through work with
NJEXCEL. Currently, Randi is in her sixth year as the ELA Supervisor for grades 5-12 in Union and
has facilitated or participated in multiple initiatives in both the department and the district. Twitter: @
RLMHutch

Educational Viewpoints -81- Spring 2021