NJ Education Commissioner Out in January

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, amidst the Black Friday hustle, it was revealed that Acting Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan will step down in January after three years in the role.

Initially reported by the New Jersey Globe, her departure is speculated to be linked to a somewhat tumultuous relationship with the New Jersey Education Association, the state’s largest teacher and public employee union.

While specifics remain limited, an insider suggested that Allen-McMillan was perceived as an inadequate fit for steering the state school system during a pandemic and navigating the divisive culture wars that have diverted the Department of Education from its primary responsibility of overseeing the education of New Jersey’s 1.3 million students. Critics, including legislators and education leaders, have pointed to her perceived lack of urgency in addressing significant learning losses resulting from COVID-related school closures. Last month, Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz criticized the Department of Education’s tutoring program, stating, “There is no sense of urgency from the state in creating an expedited, resourced, and proven program to help support our teachers and our students in this post-pandemic time.”

Allen-McMillan has also faced backlash for reportedly lowering reading and math proficiency standards.

It remains unclear whether the decision to step down was a personal one or if it originated from the Governor’s Office. Governor Murphy has not disclosed who will assume the role in her absence.

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