The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), and the New Jersey School Boards Association have joined forces to prepare New Jersey’s students for the digital age by creating resources to support teachers in changing their instructional and educational practices, and promoting their success as models for other schools, through the recognition of effective digital learning policies and practices.
This program, called Future Ready Schools – New Jersey (FRS-NJ), is based upon the highly successful Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification program, which offers schools and districts the chance to earn certification for their actions and efforts in sustainability.
Recognition under Future Ready Schools – New Jersey will be based in part on data derived from the NJDOE’s NJTRAx Digital Learning Survey, which is aligned to the national Future Ready District Assessment. Future Ready Schools – New Jersey will officially launch at Workshop 2016, on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. on the exhibit floor stage.
Workshop attendees who wish to learn more about the program can stop by NJSBA’s TEC area on the exhibit floor to speak with representatives of NJIT or the NJDOE. Also, on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 2:30 p.m. there will be 30-minute session entitled “Are You Future Ready?” held in the NJSBA TEC area. This session will provide an overview of the content and goals of the “Are You Future Ready?” workshops that are scheduled to take place over the current school year.
In addition, at Workshop there will be a 60-minute session entitled “Introducing Future Ready Schools – New Jersey” on Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Room 418. This session will introduce districts and schools to the exciting new Future Ready Schools – New Jersey. The inaugural recognition cycle is scheduled to begin in January 2017, and the first schools and districts will be recognized at Workshop 2017.
Additional “Future Ready” Training NJSBA is also hosting several opportunities to attend a one-day, no cost, “Are You Future Ready?” working session. The “Are You Future Ready?” working session will introduce district teams to the Future Ready Schools – New Jersey (FRS-NJ) initiative, and engage participants in the process of building digital learning into their school’s or district’s strategic plan. The day includes working sessions where district teams can discuss their current digital learning profile and begin working on their strategic plan for digital learning. Presentations will cover best practices from a district team committed to digital learning, and an introduction to the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework (as referenced in ESSA). Every board member will also receive four academy credits for attending this session. The first session will take place on Thursday, Oct. 6 at NJSBA headquarters in Trenton. Register for an upcoming session or learn more. For further information on the working sessions, please contact Jo Ann Dempsey at [email protected].
About Workshop The annual Workshop Conference, the largest training and information event for New Jersey school officials, will offer nearly 250 training programs.
Workshop Registration and Cost The cost of Workshop group registration for boards of education and member charter schools is $1,400. Individual registration is $275. The group registration covers up to 14 team members, and may include school board members, the business administrator, superintendent, facilities manager, curriculum coordinator and technology director. School business administrators may start the registration process online at any time.
For updates on Workshop 2016 or to learn more, visit workshop.staging.njsba.org.