Panel Asks NJ Officials About Failed Education Grant
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Education officials say a clerical error alone doesn't explain why New Jersey finished just out of the money on a $400 million education grant.
They say the state also lost points on its failed Race to the Top application for not having teacher support merit pay and tenure reforms and for having antiquated data systems.
The Assembly Appropriations Committee is examining the mistakes that cost New Jersey $400 million in federal education grant funds.
New Jersey lost 5 points for giving budget data for the wrong years. The state finished 3 points behind Ohio, which received federal funding.
The committee hoped to hear from members of Gov. Chris Christie's administration. But no Christie staffers, included fired schools chief Bret Schundler, attended the hearing.
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