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PROGRAM DIRECTORY This directory contains brief program descriptions and, where applicable, links to our web pages. All questions about our programs may be directed to (609) 984-5322 , except as otherwise noted. Commissioner's Distinguished Teacher Candidate Awards: Since 1985, the presidents of New Jersey's teacher training institutions have been invited to submit the dossiers of their five most outstanding prospective teachers into competition for the Commissioner's Distinguished Teacher Candidate Awards. An independent panel of veteran New Jersey educators evaluates these dossiers to select award recipients. Fifteen awardees are selected from a large, very competitive group of nominees. The Commissioner's Distinguished Teacher Candidate Awards Ceremony annually recognizes these awards winners. Governor's Awards in Arts Education: The Governor’s Awards in Arts Education were designed to promote awareness and appreciation of the arts by recognizing the outstanding arts achievement of students, educators, and other leaders in New Jersey. Educators are selected to receive awards from several cooperating national and state arts organizations for their exceptional commitment and contributions to arts education in New Jersey. Governor’s Annual Educational Services Professionals Recognition Program: This program was enacted on January 9, 2004 for the purpose of acknowledging those who hold educational services professional certificates and who exhibit outstanding performance. The premise of recognizing educational services professionals is based on the following: (1) the public school system is made more successful by the work of educational services professionals; (2) they provide important services outside of the classroom environment that improve students’ academic opportunities, workforce preparedness, and overall quality of life; and (3) providing recognition of outstanding educational services professionals will demonstrate our appreciation of their contributions and encourage others to strive for the same. Governor’s Teacher Recognition Program: This program was developed in 1985 for the purpose of acknowledging teachers who exhibit outstanding performance. The premise of recognizing teachers is based on the following: (1) the success of our public schools are due to the quality and dedication of their teaching staff; (2) recognizing excellence will encourage teachers to strive for excellence; (3) by giving the teaching profession the stature and recognition it deserves, more capable people will be attracted to the profession; and (4) like other professions, outstanding performance should be acknowledged. Teachers are those whose primary responsibility is classroom instruction. Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards:This program provides national recognition and financial rewards to outstanding educators. Each award winner is given a $25,000 unrestricted financial award and the opportunity to participate in ongoing professional development at an annual Milken National Educator Conference, at yearly state conferences, and through state networks of educators, state agency personnel, legislators, university personnel, business partners, and foundation staff. Since 1987, the program has expanded to 48 states and has awarded over $56 million to over 2,200 outstanding teachers, principals, and educators. New Jersey joined the Milken National Educator Awards in 2002 as the 45th state to participate.. (There are no applications for this award. Nominations are made to the Milken Family Foundation by a state selection panel.) Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching: The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Program has been operating since 1983 through the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House. It is the most prestigious award offered by our national government for teachers of mathematics and science. In alternate years, grades K-6 and 7-12 teachers are eligible to apply. Up to three state finalists are selected each year in mathematics and three in science. Finalists then compete for recognition as NJ Presidential Award winners in their subject area. Presidential Award winners participate in a recognition program in Washington, D.C., and receive a $10,000 grant from the NSF to be spent at their sole discretion. Both state finalists and national award winners are also honored at state ceremonies and are invited to participate in professional development and leadership activities. Principal of the Year: This initiative is a partnership of the Department of Education and the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association. A panel from this partnership selects principals who exhibit exemplary and creative leadership skills which focus on student learning, enabling teachers to address core curriculum requirements, involving parents and the business community, and empowering others to promote improved student achievement. Applicants are self-nominated or nominated by others, and must fill out an application form. The New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association will post the application on-line and advertise its availability. Teacher of the Year: This program honors an outstanding teacher for each county and for the state as a whole. Each year, each school district may nominate a teacher for County Teacher of the Year. After all 21 county selection panels have named their County Teachers of the Year (including State Facility Teacher of the Year), a state selection panel chooses a State Teacher of the Year from among the county winners. The State Teacher of the Year becomes New Jersey's nominee for National Teacher of the Year, receives a half-year sabbatical to pursue teaching initiatives and speaking engagements, and collaborates with other states' Teachers of the Year. County Teachers of the Year are recognized during their year and are provided with opportunities to learn more about education initiatives in the state. No Child Left Behind - Blue Ribbon Schools: The nationally-funded No Child Left Behind - Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors schools that are models of excellence and equity, that demonstrate a strong commitment to educational excellence for all students, and that achieve high academic standards or have shown significant academic improvement over five years. Elementary and secondary schools are honored in alternate program years. The program recognizes schools in two categories. First are those that have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds and have dramatically improved student performance to high levels in reading (language arts or English) and mathematics on state assessments or assessments referenced against national norms in at least the last grade tested. Second, it recognizes schools, regardless of their demographics, that are in the top 10 percent of schools in the state as measured by state tests of reading (language arts or English) and mathematics or that score in the top 10 percent in the state on assessments referenced against national norms at a particular grade in at least the last grade tested. The NJ Commissioner of Education nominates public schools that meet those criteria for recognition. Each state is assigned a number of possible schools based on the number of students and the number of schools in the state. The New Jersey Schools to Watch®: This national program, designed and supported by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, helps schools take a critical look at the needs of middle-level students, defined as students in grades 6, 7, and 8. The program identifies high-performing schools that maximize student growth, support learning for all students, and prepare students for success in high school, college, and careers. The school does not have to be organized as a middle school in order to participate in this program. The process requires a self-assessment as well as an application that focuses on curriculum, instruction, assessment, school organization, and student behavior followed by a site visit. Those selected as NJSTW join a state and national cadre of middle level schools that are showing continuous improvement while meeting the needs of early adolescents. The Governor’s Awards in Arts Education: This program is designed to promote awareness and appreciation of the arts by recognizing the outstanding arts achievement of students, educators, and other leaders in New Jersey. Students are selected by national and statewide organizations for their exemplary work in creative writing, music, theatre, dance, and the visual arts. National Youth Science Camp: Two students from every state are chosen to participate in an all-expenses paid, month-long science camp in West Virginia where they spend time with top scientists and participate in outdoor learning experiences. Students in New Jersey can obtain applications from their high school science supervisor. Final selection of the two students is made by the NJ Department of Education. U.S. Senate Youth Program: Two students from every state are chosen to participate in a week-long conference in Washington, D.C. where they meet government leaders and learn about the functions of the federal government. This program is sponsored by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. Students in New Jersey are nominated by their high schools and must be elected student body leaders. Final selection of the two students is made by the NJ Department of Education. STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND SUPPORT Robert C. Byrd Scholarships: This federal scholarship program is named after U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd. The scholarships are awarded to the most academically talented members of high school graduating classes. Students are nominated by their schools and compete against other applicants within each of New Jersey’s 13 congressional districts. In 2007, 186 Byrd Scholarships were awarded to outstanding New Jersey students. Star Ledger Scholarships: The Star Ledger provides scholarships to academically-talented students from their readership area. Awards are given in eleven geographic areas. There are partial scholarships and one full four-year scholarship to the college of the student's choice. One top academic student is nominated from each high school in participating counties. |
