Joyful music, why I honor cops, the PARCC fiasco: 3 things you learned with Bill Spadea

Today is #BlueFriday! It's been a joyous day, celebrating local police and easing into the weekend with the Chosen Generation Ministerial Alliance choir. But Friday wasn't all harmonious — no day that includes a conversation on PARCC can be.

I was honored for honoring cops: #BlueFriday

I want to build a different narrative about police officers than the one often we often see in the media, which is why I created #BlueFriday. I dedicated every Friday to celebrating New Jersey police officers as my New Year' resolution.

And last night, I was humbled and honored to be recognized for that effort. The Local Fraternal Order of Police South Jersey Lodge No. 56 presented me with a certificate "in recognition of your courage to speak out in support of law enforcement throughout New Jersey and beyond."

I would like to thank the lodge's president, Sgt. Wayne Bonfiglio, for the honor.

"You are an anomaly. You respect the job we do out here." Bonfiglio told me.

We even had the mother-in-law of Owen Curry — one of three Clifton cops who saved four people from a burning car — give personal insight into what it's like to be the family member of a police officer, and praise #BlueFriday.

Is the PARCC Test Necessary?

The state board of education has taken votes that would set up graduation requirements for the classes of 2020 and 2021 — today's eighth- and seventh-graders. Under the plan, students wouldn't be able to opt-out of the state math and English PARCC exams — they'd be a requirement to graduate.

Teachers unions and parents are very upset about it — and so am I. These teachers are being forced to teach to the test, and waste classroom time. It has nothing to do with accountability as proponents claim. What's going on in Trenton that think they can mandate this test that has nothing to do with the core curriculum in our schools?

It's an affront to parents and students alike.

Amanda in Westfield, who said she teaches in a district "close to Trenton," called in to tell me that schools are spending too much time testing these sorts of academic skills, and too little preparing students for the variety of careers they might enter.

"We should be rethinking how high schools are set up and starting to track kids when they're in mdidle school," she said. Amanda argued some kids would be better off with vocational training — a student might not be a math whiz, "but that doesn't mean they can't be successful."

"I think instead of throwing another mandate on teachers, our legislators should be spending their time trying to come up with ideas that would be more effective," she said.

Uplifting Gospel Choir serenades the Morning Show

The Chosen Generation Ministerial Alliance based in Jersey City joined us in the studio this morning. A group with incredible energy and talent, their powerful music delivers a positive message. You can see them at the Prudential Center on Saturday.