Establishes project-based learning pilot program in DOE.

S 1617 establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey public schools for project-based learning (PBL) in grades 9-12. It directly affects school districts with students in those grades, requiring them to apply to participate by submitting course proposals, student estimates, and other details. The Commissioner of Education will select up to six districts - two from each of the state's three regions, with diversity across urban, suburban, and rural areas - to implement PBL courses. After the pilot, the Commissioner must report to the Governor and Legislature on implementation and recommend whether to continue or expand the program. The bill defines PBL as student-driven projects involving real-world design, development, and implementation.