Between 1984 and 1988, the median reading and mathematics scores of minority and non-minority students rose in all grades. The Montclair program limits parental choice only if it would result in racial imbalance or if there is not enough classroom space. ETS found that over 95 percent of families in Montclair received their first choice of school. The scholarship program also gives grants to schools to develop programs and curricula that address the particular needs of their students. For example, a grant recently was given to St. Patrick High School in Elizabeth to help establish a special education program for students with learning disabilities.
All money distributed comes from personal, foundation, and corporate donations.
Under this legislation, a charter school can be established by certified teachers, parents, or a combination of teachers and parents. A charter school also may be established by an institution of higher learning or by a private corporation located within New Jersey. Private or parochial schools are not eligible to establish a charter school. A cap of 135 charters could be approved by state officials in the first 48 months after passage of the legislation, with a minimum of three charters per district. Charter schools that were not public schools before receiving their charters are required by law not to enroll more than 500 pupils or more than 25 percent of the district's student body, whichever is lower.