Gov. Chris Christie came to Robert Treat Academy in Newark on Jan 18, 2011 to announce that his administration approved 23 new charter schools in New Jersey, the largest number ever approved.
The governor also released a study showing that charter schools in the former Abbott districts outperformed their home districts on state assessment tests.
It was Christie's second visit to Robert Treat since he won the gubernatorial election in November 2009. He made his first public appearance at Robert Treat the day after the election.
"I want every child regardless of their zip code to have the chance to have the education that they and their parents want them to have and that is not the case now, particularly in our urban communities," Gov. Christie said during a press conference at Robert Treat.
Among the schools approved by the state Department of Education is the Forest Hill Charter School, the first charter school for children with special needs. The school is founded by The North Ward Center, which also founded Robert Treat.
"It’s a fortunate day for our families in Newark who are living with autism and pervasive developmental delays," said Michele Adubato, the executive director of The North Ward Center and founder of the school. "Forest Hill Charter School will fill a void by providing a high-quality education in an economically responsible way that will serve as a model for public schools."
Read and watch coverage of the governor's visit to Robert Treat:
New Jersey approves 23 charter schools, The Star-Ledger, Jan. 18, 2011
Newly approved Newark charter marks N.J.'s first school for students with autism, The Star-Ledger, Jan. 19, 2011
More charters on tap in NJ, The Wall Street Journal, Jan. 19, 2011
Christie's Administration Approves 23 Charter Schools, Bloomberg Businessweek, Jan. 18, 2011
New Charters Approved in New Jersey, Gannett New Jersey, Jan. 18, 2011
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