Levinson Says Better Schools Are Essential to Atlantic City's Future as Education Challenges Persist

Atlantic County executive connects education, family stability and the resort's redevelopment efforts as state data reveal persistent student attendance problems.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson says improving education must be part of Atlantic City's long-term revitalization, arguing that the resort cannot build a stronger year-round residential community without addressing the challenges facing its schools and families.

During a Thursday, November 12, appearance on Talking with Anne on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND, Levinson discussed the importance of academic achievement, parental involvement and family stability in creating opportunities for Atlantic City's next generation.

His comments come as Atlantic City leaders pursue new development, infrastructure improvements and economic investment intended to strengthen the resort beyond its casino industry.

While much of the public discussion has focused on attracting businesses, improving public safety and rebuilding neighborhoods, Levinson raised another important question: What role will the city's schools play in attracting and retaining families?

The issue is particularly relevant as New Jersey education data continue to show substantial challenges involving student attendance and academic achievement.

Atlantic City's Student Attendance Remains a Concern

One of the clearest indicators of the challenges facing Atlantic City Public Schools is chronic absenteeism.

According to the New Jersey Department of Education's 2023–24 School Performance Report, 31.6% of Atlantic City School District students were chronically absent.

That compares with a statewide rate of 14.9%.

A student is considered chronically absent when they miss at least 10% of the school days in which they are enrolled, including both excused and unexcused absences.

In a typical 180-day school year, that means missing approximately 18 days or more.

The district's rate was more than twice the statewide average.

The problem has persisted for several years, although there has been improvement from the immediate post-pandemic period.

Atlantic City's chronic absenteeism rate was 37.9% in 2021–22, declined to 31.3% in 2022–23 and increased slightly to 31.6% in 2023–24.

The figures suggest that the district made progress from its earlier high but continued to struggle with a significant number of students missing substantial classroom time.

New Jersey's more recent 2024–25 School Performance Reports were released in May 2026. Statewide chronic absenteeism declined to 14.4%, continuing a broader recovery from pandemic-era attendance disruptions.

Atlantic City's exact 2024–25 district absenteeism rate was not independently confirmed for this report, so the 2023–24 district figure should not be interpreted as its current rate.

Chronic absenteeism is important because students who regularly miss school may have greater difficulty keeping up with instruction, developing foundational skills and completing graduation requirements.

Attendance problems can also reflect circumstances beyond the classroom, including health concerns, transportation difficulties, housing instability and other challenges affecting students and their families.

Levinson Emphasizes the Role of Families

During his WOND appearance, Levinson placed considerable emphasis on the importance of parental involvement and family circumstances in determining educational outcomes.

He argued that schools cannot address every challenge facing students without support from families and the broader community.

His remarks reflected a concern that improving educational opportunities requires attention not only to what happens inside classrooms but also to the environments in which children grow up.

Levinson also discussed broader social and government policies that he believes influence family stability.

Those comments represent his political and social views. Student achievement is affected by multiple factors, and no single family characteristic or public policy can adequately explain the academic performance of an entire school district.

Research on education consistently identifies school attendance, access to resources, instructional quality and family engagement as important considerations.

For Atlantic City, where many families face economic challenges, the question is how schools, parents, community organizations and local government can work together to improve outcomes.

Academic Achievement Is Another Important Measure

New Jersey's annual School Performance Reports provide detailed information about student achievement in English language arts and mathematics.

The reports include results from the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments, which measure whether students are meeting grade-level academic standards.

They also provide information about student growth, graduation rates, college and career readiness, school climate and other indicators.

The state's latest reports cover the 2024–25 academic year.

Those figures are especially important when evaluating concerns such as those raised by Levinson.

Low test scores can indicate that students need additional academic support, but they do not by themselves establish why a district is struggling.

A meaningful assessment also requires examining whether students are improving over time, how performance differs among grade levels and whether schools are making progress with students who enter classrooms below grade level.

Atlantic City's precise 2024–25 English and math proficiency percentages were not independently established for this article, so no unverified figures are being attributed to the district.

The publicly available state reports provide a basis for a more detailed examination of those outcomes.

Levinson Points to Atlantic County Institute of Technology

Levinson also discussed Atlantic County Institute of Technology, the county's vocational-technical high school, as an example of an educational institution he believes has achieved success.

The school, located in Hamilton Township, provides traditional academic instruction alongside career and technical education programs.

Students can pursue training in fields that prepare them for employment, additional technical education or college.

The school serves students from communities throughout Atlantic County, including Atlantic City.

Career and technical education has become an increasingly important part of workforce development, particularly as employers seek workers with specialized skills.

Levinson's favorable comments about the county school highlight the potential role of education in preparing young people for opportunities in health care, technology, construction, hospitality and other industries.

However, direct comparisons between a county vocational-technical school and a comprehensive public school district require care because the schools may serve different student populations and operate under different admissions and program structures.

Atlantic City Schools Recently Achieved a Major Financial Milestone

Although the district continues to face educational challenges, Atlantic City Public Schools recently achieved a significant administrative accomplishment.

In August, the district announced that it had emerged from approximately 10 years of state fiscal monitoring.

New Jersey originally appointed a state monitor in 2015 amid concerns about the district's finances following a substantial decline in Atlantic City's taxable property values.

The monitor had broad authority over financial operations, budget decisions, staffing and other administrative matters.

After years of oversight, the New Jersey Department of Education determined that the conditions requiring the monitor had been resolved.

In a July 7 letter, state Education Commissioner Lily Laux cited substantial improvements in the district's financial condition.

"Due to the significant financial improvement over time, commercial value stabilization aid to the district concluded at the end of FY26," Laux wrote.

"To that end, the conditions warranting the initial appointment of the monitor have been resolved."

Superintendent Dr. La'Quetta S. Small described the end of state fiscal monitoring as an important achievement for the district.

"This is a significant milestone for the Atlantic City Public Schools and a testament to the dedication of our Board of Education, business office, administrators and staff, who worked tirelessly to strengthen our financial operations while keeping students at the center of every decision," Small said in an August statement.

She added that the district remained committed to accountability and responsible financial management.

State Monitor Carol Morris, whose final day in that position was August 3, also praised the district's progress.

"The Atlantic City Public Schools has made tremendous progress in strengthening its financial practices, internal controls and overall fiscal stability," Morris said.

The Board of Education subsequently hired Morris as the district's strategy officer.

The conclusion of fiscal monitoring restored greater local control over the district's finances.

That accomplishment does not automatically resolve academic challenges, but it represents a significant change in the district's ability to manage its own resources and priorities.

Education and Atlantic City's Redevelopment

Levinson's remarks come during a period of renewed attention to Atlantic City's economic future.

Mayor Marty Small has promoted major infrastructure investments and improvements to city services, while business and political leaders have discussed opportunities for additional housing, commercial development and tourism-related projects.

George Norcross has also discussed a potential broader revitalization effort involving state and local officials.

Much of that conversation has centered on attracting investment and improving the city's physical appearance.

But successful residential redevelopment involves more than buildings, roads and business opportunities.

Families considering whether to move to or remain in a community may also evaluate the quality of local schools, neighborhood safety, housing affordability and available recreational opportunities.

That makes education an important part of Atlantic City's long-term development strategy.

The city's casinos and tourism attractions provide employment and economic activity, but a stronger year-round residential community also depends on creating opportunities for children and families.

Improving educational outcomes could help prepare more Atlantic City students for careers within the resort and throughout the region.

It could also support efforts to attract residents who might otherwise choose to live in surrounding communities.

A Broader Conversation About Atlantic City's Future

Levinson's education comments follow his continuing calls for improvements in Atlantic City's public safety and economic development.

During the same WOND interview, he argued that the city needs more visible police patrols, even while acknowledging that reported crime has declined.

His concerns about education raise a related issue: whether improvements in infrastructure, tourism and public safety will be accompanied by progress in the quality of life for year-round residents.

Atlantic City Public Schools has demonstrated meaningful financial progress by emerging from state oversight.

At the same time, the district's documented attendance challenges show why educational outcomes remain an important subject for public discussion.

The next steps will depend on the district's academic performance, efforts to improve attendance, support for students and families, and the extent to which education becomes part of the city's larger redevelopment strategy.

For Levinson, the underlying concern is that Atlantic City's future must include opportunities for the people who call the resort home, not simply those who visit.

Dennis Levinson discussed education and Atlantic City's future during the November 12 edition of Talking with Anne, airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.