PRINCETON – Before an audience of hundreds of charter school teachers, administrators, parents and supports, Carlos Lejnieks, chairman of the New Jersey Charter Schools Association (NJSCA) declared this morning that “if there is no struggle, there is no progress” in ensuring the growth of high-quality charter schools in the state.

“Everyone is here today to reverse the trend in public education in America,” said Lejnieks, during the opening session of the final day of the statewide conference. “We are all working hard in the 73 charter schools in New Jersey, and maybe we feel isolated that there are only pockets of these schools around the state. But we must remember, to reach this point, generations of school reformers worked to make this possible. This is a real moment of joy for the charter school community, as we look together to the future.”

Lejnieks said that future will be challenging, with the state approval of 23 more charter schools and 58 more applications pending before the state Department of Education. Just as the first few charter school applications were a defining moment for the educational reform movement in New Jersey, the goal must remain for the state’s charter school community to ensure each new charter school is successful, focused on academic excellence.

The morning’s keynote speaker was Peter Groff, president & CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Groff said New Jersey has become a national model for charter school growth, with all eyes focusing on how the charter school community will manage and maintain the top-quality growth. He applauded the NJCSA for gathering strong bi-partisan support for charter schools, from Gov. Chris Christie, to members of the state Legislature to local governing officials, such as Newark Mayor Cory Booker.

“The nation is watching you, so the time to act is now,” Groff said. “The time is critical to strengthen your state laws. We can’t focus on the victories of the past. Too many kids are still falling behind.  Charter schools are leading the way for all of our students. We must keep innovating.”

The morning session included the presentation of four annual awards:

- Rahshene Davis, the principal at University Heights Charter School in Newark, won the “Administrator of the Year” award.
- Fiona Thomas, principal and co-founder of Pride Academy Charter School in East Orange, also won “Administrator of the Year.”
- Dan Weisz, vice chairman of the board for the Hoboken Charter School, was named “Advocate of the year.”
- Nikki Jones, an eighth-grade English teacher at North Star Academy, is the 2010 “Teacher of the Year.”

The two-day conference, titled “Delivering on the Promise,” features a variety of speakers, awards, exhibitions and networking opportunities to help strengthen charter schools and build toward the future.

The event also featured a keynote from Kevin Chavous. In addition, there were 40 break-out sessions over two days, incorporating virtually every aspect of charter school operation.

“This is the only conference specifically dedicated to New Jersey’s charter school leaders, administrators, teachers, board members, parents and community supporters,” said Carlos Perez, president & CEO, NJCSA.

“With a Governor as a steadfast partner in the growth of charter schools in New Jersey, all eyes of the nation are on our state,” he added. “Many landmark charter schools are opening their doors this September, while we have heard of many exciting applications being compiled for state review in 2012. Collectively, we strive to deliver on the promise, to provide high-achieving, diverse options for public school children in New Jersey.”