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NJ Ranks First in Education, 6th Overall in 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book

Posted on June 8, 2026

NJ Ranks First in Education, 6th Overall in 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book
But More Work Needed on Economic Well-Being

NEWARK, NJ — New Jersey leads the nation in education, ranking first for two consecutive years, according to the 2026 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, a 50-state report of recent data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzing how kids are faring nationwide. But beneath the high overall ranking lies a sobering reality: the state’s children are still falling short of grade-level benchmarks in reading and math and fewer high school students are graduating on time.

For the first time this year, states receive a comprehensive score (from 0 to 1,000) in the Data Book, not just a ranking. The scores track 16 indicators in four domains — economic well-being, education, health, and family and community factors — over a five-year period from 2019 to 2024. The new scoring system shows whether policies and public investment are actually improving children’s lives, not merely how states compare to each other. New Jersey received a score of 715, above the national score of 547, with high score in health at 776, education at 731, and family and community at 724 and lowest in economic well-being at 629.

The education data reveal a gap between ranking and reality. In 2024, 62% of New Jersey fourth graders were not reading at grade level — a rate unchanged from 2022, and up from 58% in 2019. And although there is marked improvement from the previous year at 67%, 63% of eighth graders scored below proficiency in math. Another concern is the high school graduation rate: 12% of NJ students did not graduate on time in the 2023–2024 school year, compared to 9% in 2018–2019. New Jersey’s graduation ranking has dropped from 3rd in the nation to 18th in just five years.

The Garden State ranks 6th overall in child well-being, much higher than its neighboring states of Delaware (#31), New York (#30) and Pennsylvania (#18). However, a closer look also shows that New Jersey is near bottom in the nation at 43rd for housing cost burden with 33% – or 675,000 – children in households that spend more than 30% of their income on housing.

“On the surface, New Jersey children are ahead of many of their peers and ranking first in education is something our state should be proud of. Except a top ranking is only meaningful if it reflects real progress for every child. When nearly two-thirds of our fourth graders cannot read at grade level, and fewer students are finishing high school on time, the number alone is not enough," said Mary Coogan, president and CEO of Advocates for Children of New Jersey, the state's grantee member of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT network. "All children deserve to have their basic needs met and policymakers are accountable for making smart and fair policy choices to ensure they are. If we fail to provide for our children today, the consequences will ripple for generations — weakening our workforce, driving up public costs, and compromising our shared future."

In its 37th year of publication, the KIDS COUNT® Data Book provides reliable statewide numbers to help leaders see where progress is being made, where greater support is needed and which strategies are making a difference. ACNJ encourages lawmakers and officials in New Jersey to use this detailed information to unite across party lines and respond with initiatives that invest in young people. By offering a local road map, the Data Book equips policymakers, advocates and communities with the information they need to make decisions that help kids and young people thrive.

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RELEASE INFORMATION
The 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book will be available at www.aecf.org/databook. Journalists interested in creating maps, graphs and rankings in stories about the Data Book can use the KIDS COUNT Data Center at datacenter.aecf.org.

ABOUT THE ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION
The Annie E. Casey Foundation creates a brighter future for the nation’s young people by developing solutions to strengthen families, build paths to economic opportunity and transform struggling communities into safer and healthier places to live, work and grow. For more information, visit www.aecf.org. KIDS COUNT is a registered trademark of the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Public Hearing on Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards

Posted on June 4, 2026

The New Jersey Department of Education will hold three public hearings to receive comments on the draft revisions to the New Jersey Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards. We encourage all early childhood professionals to participate in this important process to share their input as experienced leaders in the field who do this hands-on work with children and teachers every day. It is their chance to have a lasting impact on the growth and development of young children by informing our state standards, requirements, and expectations.

The proposed revised Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards can be found on the State Board of Education’s webpage (official version and unofficial version).

Your voice and expertise as early childhood education advocates are invaluable in shaping standards that will impact young learners across New Jersey. Whether you choose to testify in person at one of the regional hearings or submit written comments, we hope you will take this opportunity to make your perspective heard.

Submit Written Comments regarding the draft revisions to the New Jersey Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards to njptlsreview@doe.nj.gov

Participate in one of three regional hearings:

    1. Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 6pm

      2. Hudson County Community College
      4800 Kennedy Boulevard
      Union City, NJ 07306
      Second floor, Room N203.

      Members of the public seeking to testify in person may register online by noon on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

    2. Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 11am

      3. Camden County College
      200 College Drive
      Blackwood, NJ 08012
      Connector Building, Room 105, Civic Hall.

      Members of the public seeking to testify in person may register online by noon on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

    3. Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 1pm

      4. Department of Education
      100 Riverview Plaza,
      Trenton, NJ 08625
      First floor conference room.

      Members of the public seeking to testify in person may register online by noon on Thursday, June 25, 2026.

More Than a Grocery Store: How A Better Market Is Transforming Food Access

Posted on June 4, 2026

Blog-headline
image of Habibah Johnson

By Habibah Johnson
ACNJ Parent Leadership Council, Co-Chair

What if every community had a better market?

I recently had a conversation with Shana Manradge, CEO of A Better Market, and it left me thinking about something we don’t talk about enough: food access isn’t just about having a store nearby. It’s about whether families can actually afford what’s inside.

Shana didn’t plan to open a grocery store. Her journey started with a moment that honestly feels all too familiar. During COVID, she ran into a corner store to grab cereal and saw a box priced at $9.54. Instead of brushing it off, she stopped and asked a bigger question: How is this normal for families?

That question turned into action.

In her hometown of Paterson, she saw what many families already knew. Stores were there, but access wasn’t. Shelves were filled with processed foods, while fresh produce was limited, expensive, or poor quality. For families already balancing rent, childcare, and everyday expenses, healthy food wasn’t just a choice. It was often out of reach.

So, she created something different.

A Better Market isn’t your typical grocery store. About 85% of what you’ll find there is fresh produce. It’s intentional. It’s focused. And it’s built around what families actually need.

But what really makes it stand out is how it addresses the gaps that systems often miss.

For SNAP recipients, the store participates in Good Food Bucks, offering 50% off produce. That alone is huge. But Shana didn’t stop there. She talked about what she calls the “SNAP Gap”: families who work hard, earn just above the eligibility threshold, and still struggle to afford healthy food.

Those families are often left out of the conversation.

So, she built something for them, too: $10 produce bags filled with $20–25 worth of fresh food. Families plan around them. Budget around them. Rely on them. That’s not just a program. It’s a lifeline.

And then there are the everyday moments that show what’s really changing.

A little girl runs into the store, excitedly asking for fruit like it’s the most normal thing in the world. Because for her, it is.

A parent learns how to make fresh juice at home after attending a class and realizes healthy options were within reach all along.

These moments might seem small, but they point to something bigger: when access improves, habits change. Health changes. Communities change.

What’s happening at A Better Market is about more than food. It’s about dignity. It’s about making sure families don’t have to stand in the aisle doing mental math and deciding what they can afford to put back.

It’s also a reminder that solutions like this shouldn’t be rare.

We should be asking: Why doesn’t every community have something like this? Why are families still navigating systems that make healthy food harder to access?

Shana’s vision is clear. This model should be replicated. Healthy corner stores should actually be healthy. Fresh food should be accessible without long drives or impossible price tags. And families should never have to choose between affordability and nutrition. That’s not unrealistic. It’s necessary.

Shana shares her story in creating A Better Market for the Paterson community.

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Looking Forward: ACNJ 2026 Board Update

Posted on May 20, 2026

Chris J Duncan- 2026 board member

Chris J. Duncan

With 10 years of banking experience, I’m passionate about helping small business owners and entrepreneurs achieve their financial goals. I leverage Valley’s robust suite of services and banking tools to deliver tailored solutions for clients with complex banking needs. By understanding each business’s unique challenges, I help owners access the support and guidance they need to thrive at every stage. I am also active in organizations like NRBP, Gateway Chamber of Commerce, and WCEC, and enjoy supporting local businesses and driving positive change in the community.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my wife, Amanda, and our son, Shiloh. I also enjoy volunteering, mentoring young men from urban environments, and cheering on the Yankees, Jets, and Knicks.

Stephen Eisdorfer - 2026 Board Member

Stephen Martin Eisdorfer, Esq.

Stephen is now retired. He is a graduate of Haverford College and Harvard Law School. He clerked for the New Jersey Supreme Court. He practiced law in New Jersey for 45 years, including 20 years of public interest practice with the Education Law Center and the N.J. Department of the Public Advocate and 25 years in private practice. His practice focused on public education, civil rights, low-income housing, land use and environmental law. Prior to joining the ACNJ board, he was an ACNJ volunteer for five years. 

ROSE MARIE RANURO, MSN, RN, CPNP - 2026 ACNJ Board Member

Rose Marie Ranuro, MSN, RN, CPNP

I am a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and have dedicated more than 42 years to nursing, specializing in pediatric home health and hospice care, with the past 35 years spent in leadership roles at Valley Home Care. My passion is in providing a safe home for children where parents are comfortable and parents are knowledgeable in care.

In 1991, I was honored to receive the New Jersey Governor's Nursing Merit Award. In 1999, we developed the Butterflies Program, which provides care for children with life-limiting diagnoses. This is the only comprehensive pediatric hospice in New Jersey.

Outside of my professional life, I enjoy traveling, spending time at the Jersey Shore, and being with my husband and two sons. My family also proudly owns Biggie's, a restaurant that began in Hoboken.

Minsun Shin - 2026 Board Member

Dr. Minsun Shin

Dr. Minsun Shin is a Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Montclair State University, specializing in infant and early childhood studies. She earned her doctorate in Early Childhood Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Shin currently serves on the Board of Directors for Head Start Community Program of Morris County, New Jersey, and the Board of Trustees of Advocates for Children of New Jersey. With a strong belief that education takes place in and through human relationships, her research interests include social development among young children, infant caregiving, caring pedagogy, early childhood teacher education, and professionalism in early childhood care and education.

Newark Future Policymakers Advocacy Training Class of 2026 Fellows

Posted on May 15, 2026

The Newark Future Policymakers Program, in its fifth year now, is an immersive advocacy training initiative that empowers local youth to shape civic policies. Fellows analyze real-world urban issues, build professional organizing skills, and drive meaningful, community-led change. Read about the fellows in this year's cohort.

Sheguyma Bazile

Sheguyma Bazile

Sheguyma is a first-year student at Rutgers University–Newark studying Public & Nonprofit Administration and Sociology. From Trenton, New Jersey, she aspires to become an urban planner with a community development focus, driven by the belief that land, policy, and investment patterns determine whether communities are stable or constantly displaced. She hopes to help design and implement policies that expand community ownership, especially in historically Black neighborhoods. Her experience spans youth programming, education support, and community-based initiatives centered on empowerment and practical skill-building. As a 2026 Newark Future Policymakers Fellow with Advocates for Children of New Jersey, she is strengthening her ability to analyze policy, understand systems of power, and develop solutions that directly impact children, families, and communities. Her long-term goal is to become an urban planner who develops infrastructure, programs, and services that allow communities to truly thrive—building environments that support both youth and elders and embed opportunity, stability, and care into everyday life.
Kaysi Charrington

Kaysi Charrington

Kaysi is a senior at Great Oaks Legacy Charter High School and the youngest Fellow of Advocates for Children of New Jersey. Hailing from Brooklyn but residing in Newark, she is a youth advocate dedicated to championing equity, education reform, and youth-driven policy change. She is a prominent member of the Youth Power Action Coalition's steering committee, where she engages in policy development, civic action organizing, and frequent testimony at school board meetings. She serves on the NJ4S Essex Student Advisory Board and is the only student serving on her school's Board of Trustees for the 2025–2026 academic year. She has also been appointed Council Member for a Day in Newark for four consecutive years. She aims to become a practicing attorney focused on intellectual property and corporate law, and is passionate about advocating for equitable education, ending the school-to-prison pipeline, and addressing housing injustice.
Nathan Duguid

Nathan Duguid

Nathan is a Newark-based youth organizer, writer, and policy advocate whose work sits at the intersection of racial justice, democratic participation, and community-based reform. He is a sophomore at Rutgers University–Newark studying Sociology with a minor in Social Justice, and is the founder and president of the Young Voters Association, a youth-led civic engagement organization focused on expanding young people's power in public life. His work has included Vote16 advocacy, education policy organizing, campaign finance leadership in Newark school board politics, qualitative research, and public-facing civic programming. He also serves as an Alumni Ambassador and Intern Coordinator with the New Jersey Public Charter School Association, writes on youth politics, race, and power, and recently led #RCROWNS, a multimedia project and symposium examining Black hair, identity, and policy. His work has been recognized through fellowships and public engagement across Rutgers and beyond.
Manpreet Kaur

Manpreet Kaur

Manpreet is a junior at Rutgers University on the pre-law track. She currently interns as a Policy and Advocacy Intern at Advocates for Children of New Jersey, where she supports youth in civic engagement and policy initiatives. Passionate about advocacy, she hopes to pursue a career in law to advance justice and expand access to legal resources.
Kaley Klapisch

Kaley Klapisch

Kaley is a senior at Rutgers University–Newark majoring in English with minors in Urban Education and Social Justice, as part of the Honors Living-Learning Community program. Originally from Westwood, New Jersey, she currently works as an Outreach & Organizing Intern at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. She looks forward to building a foundation of education policy knowledge through this fellowship.
Lakita Lloyd

Lakita Lloyd

Lakita is a young leader whose work is rooted in resilience, advocacy, and a deep commitment to justice. Her leadership journey began as a founding member of SHE Wins, where she helped create a supportive space for girls to grow in confidence and leadership. She later expanded her impact by serving on the first youth board at HopeBound, contributing to mental health initiatives for young people, and through the Wilhelmina Holder Foundation, where she developed skills in policy, community advocacy, and civic engagement. At 17, she survived a life-altering car accident that left her a quadriplegic. Rather than allowing that moment to define her limits, she turned it into purpose—relearning how to speak, move, and navigate life while becoming a strong advocate for accessibility and equity. After more than 30 surgeries, she continues to rise with faith, determination, and transparency. Through her growing presence on TikTok and her advocacy for people with disabilities and communities of color, she uses her voice to encourage others to embrace who they are and pursue their dreams. Committed to breaking barriers and creating opportunities for those who come after her, she is preparing for a future in criminal justice and systemic change.
Sehar Mehnoor

Sehar Mehnoor

Sehar was born in Pakistan and moved to the United States as a teenager, earning her GED before pursuing higher education. She received an associate degree in Mathematics and is now a senior at Rutgers University, majoring in Political Science with minors in Mathematics and Philosophy. She has gained hands-on experience as a legal assistant, supporting research, case preparation, and client advocacy, which deepened her understanding of the legal system and public policy. Passionate about using education and policy to create opportunities for underserved communities, she joined ACNJ to develop her skills in policy analysis and advocacy, engage with leaders working to advance equity, and contribute to programs that promote positive social change. Outside of her academic and professional work, she enjoys mentoring peers, exploring interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving, and staying informed on current events that shape local and national policy.
Yasmina Ouedraogo

Yasmina Ouedraogo

Liyalani is a proud Black Muslim woman born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. She serves as a K–6 educator and volunteer mentor with Newark Public Schools, and is the Co-Leader of the NCNW Legislative Policy and Advocacy Subcommittee, where she drives initiatives to uplift and protect urban communities. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University, and her work centers on mental health, disability rights, and empowering people in underserved neighborhoods. As she explores pathways in macro social work and works toward building her own nonprofit, she remains committed to creating sustainable, community-driven change—work she looks forward to expanding through the Newark Future Policymakers Fellowship.
Liyalani Roebuck

Liyalani Roebuck

Lakita is a young leader whose work is rooted in resilience, advocacy, and a deep commitment to justice. Her leadership journey began as a founding member of SHE Wins, where she helped create a supportive space for girls to grow in confidence and leadership. She later expanded her impact by serving on the first youth board at HopeBound, contributing to mental health initiatives for young people, and through the Wilhelmina Holder Foundation, where she developed skills in policy, community advocacy, and civic engagement. At 17, she survived a life-altering car accident that left her a quadriplegic. Rather than allowing that moment to define her limits, she turned it into purpose—relearning how to speak, move, and navigate life while becoming a strong advocate for accessibility and equity. After more than 30 surgeries, she continues to rise with faith, determination, and transparency. Through her growing presence on TikTok and her advocacy for people with disabilities and communities of color, she uses her voice to encourage others to embrace who they are and pursue their dreams. Committed to breaking barriers and creating opportunities for those who come after her, she is preparing for a future in criminal justice and systemic change.
Deonte Savage

Deonte Savage

Deonté Savage is a program leader and emerging policy practitioner focused on advancing equitable education, workforce development, and youth justice systems in Newark. He currently serves as a Site Manager and Project Lead with Newark Youth Career Pathways, where he leads efforts to expand access to career-connected learning and post-secondary pathways for young people across the city. His policy interests center on education access, workforce equity, and community-based approaches to youth development. Deonté’s work has included supporting initiatives aimed at reducing youth incarceration and increasing investment in community-driven alternatives, as well as strengthening partnerships between schools, community organizations, and public systems to better serve historically underserved youth.Earlier in his career, Deonté contributed to nonprofit leadership and talent strategy as a Search Analyst at On-Ramps, and supported citywide youth initiatives through his work with My Brother’s Keeper Newark. Across his roles, he has remained committed to bridging community voice and public systems to drive more equitable outcomes. A Newark native, Deonté holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Morehouse College. Outside of his professional work, he is a worship leader, financial literacy advocate, and singer-songwriter.
Jocelyn Tapia

Jocelyn Tapia

Jocelyn graduated from Rutgers University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and a minor in Business Administration. She currently serves as a Program Officer Fellow at The MCJ Amelior Foundation. Previously, she worked as a Youth Development Specialist with Rutgers Future Scholars, supporting students through academic and personal development. Born and raised in Newark, she is passionate about deepening her community involvement and advancing advocacy through policy, particularly in education and youth development.
Mohamad Wattar

Mohamad Wattar

Mohamad is a freshman at Rutgers University majoring in Finance. A strong advocate for minimizing technology use in schools, he believes in consistency as a foundation for personal growth and strives to become a better person every day.