Despite the best efforts of Jersey City’s educators, Jersey City is not providing all of our children with the education and resources necessary to succeed in school, the workforce, higher education and beyond. And teachers cannot do it alone; we must all take responsibility for ensuring our children thrive.
Currently, fewer than half of students in Jersey City are proficient in reading, and only a third are proficient in math, with proficiency rates significantly below pre-pandemic levels. Public school enrollment has also fallen, and rates of chronic absenteeism are shocking. Over 25% of Jersey City Public Schools students were chronically absent in 2023—meaning that they missed at least 10% of school days—up from roughly 15% before the pandemic. These declines have reinforced existing inequities between different schools and neighborhoods across our city. And, despite worse outcomes, Jersey City residents are paying more than ever in property taxes.
As a parent of three daughters in Jersey City public schools, James is committed to making our schools a place where every student can thrive and graduate prepared to succeed. As Mayor, James won’t shirk responsibility for our schools. Instead, he will make it the responsibility of every single part of the City adminsitration to find new and effective ways to support local students and their families. As part of this, James will work to add 1,000 more annual slots in summer employment, internship, and mentorship programs for JCPS students, make a range of after-school programs available for every student at every grade level, and cut absenteeism back to pre-pandemic levels by the end of his first term.
