CAMDEN, N.J. – The state of New Jersey is taking over the troubled school system in the impoverished city of Camden.
Gov. Chris Christie made the announcement Monday at the city's Woodrow Wilson High School.
Camden becomes the fourth urban school district under state control, after Paterson, Newark, and Jersey City, and the first in southern New Jersey. It's the first takeover initiated by Christie.
Three of Camden's schools are the lowest-performing in the state, and 90 percent are in the bottom 5 percent. Less than 20 percent of fourth graders are proficient in language arts literacy, and just 28 percent of 11th graders are proficient in math.
Christie says he'll appoint a new superintendent and the state will ensure every student has books and technology.
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