Dive Summary:

• New Jersey's Department of Education received 38 applications for new charter schools, which range in specialties from STEM instruction and blended learning to a military-themed school named after former Secretary of State Colin Powell.
• Currently, 86 charter schools operate in the state, with another 14 set to open, and Gov. Chris Christie wants to expand that number as part of his education reform agenda.
• Applicants will know by the end of September if their proposals are approved, but the state's education commissioner, Chris Cerf, says the bar is set high.

From the article:

... "I grew up in East Orange and I have family who live in all of the towns I hope the school will serve," Barnes said. "The students there deserve a chance at a high quality education and they need other options." ...