About NJ SSI

 
The New Jersey Statewide Systemic Initiative (NJ SSI) is a unique partnership of schools, districts, colleges and universities, science centers and museums, business and industry, dedicated to strengthening mathematics, science and technology education for all students in New Jersey schools.  Initiated by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJ DOE), based at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and supported by the National Science Foundation, the State of New Jersey, and other sources, NJ SSI is committed to a vision of excellence in education.  In 1993, New Jersey received a $10 million grant over a five-year period, which was Phase I of NJ SSI. The intense competition for Phase II funding narrowed the total number of SSI programs down to only eight nationwide. In 1998 New Jersey successfully competed for another five-year, $6 million grant (Phase II).  The Regional Center at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) was established in 1993 and has been part of the NJSSI program through phases I and II.

The Regional Center at TCNJ offers a 12-day, 60-hour Partnership Program for Excellence in Mathematics, Science and Technology to work with districts to improve mathematics and science education K-12.  The Program seeks to improve local district mathematics and science test scores on statewide assessments and provide districts with coherent, consistent support for implementing standards-based curricula. Through strategic planning, participating districts identify professional development needs, use data for decision-making, develop more effective instructional methodologies, and build capacity for reform. Information is a key to success, and the program enables districts to reflect on existing student achievement patterns and plan appropriate improvement strategies.

The NJSSI Partnership Program for Excellence in Mathematics, Science, and Technology helps districts plan professional development and other activities to address the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation, including the Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) requirements.  The program enables districts to reflect on existing student achievement patterns and to plan appropriate improvement strategies to meet the NCLB requirements for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).