This bill requires New Jersey public schools (including district, charter, and renaissance schools) that employ school psychologists and offer in-person counseling to students in grades K-12 to also provide remote counseling sessions as an option. Schools must allow students to attend sessions remotely unless a school psychologist determines in-person counseling is necessary for the student's well-being. Students retain the right to choose in-person sessions if they prefer, and the bill defines "school psychologist" as someone holding a specific New Jersey certification. The law takes effect immediately for the next full school year.
This bill requires the state to appropriate $1 million annually from the General Fund to educational services commissions that primarily serve students from School Development Authority (SDA) districts. These commissions currently receive no state funding for school facility upgrades or security improvements, despite having similar needs as SDA districts. The funds must be used for specific facility projects (like construction or renovations) and security measures (such as cameras, emergency notification systems, and access controls).
This bill (A3115) requires every New Jersey public school to have at least one full-time school psychologist, with a maximum student-to-psychologist ratio of 500:1 per school. It directly affects all local school districts in New Jersey, mandating they hire qualified psychologists certified under New Jersey law. School districts must also seek federal funding to support implementation. The law takes effect for the second full school year after enactment.
This New Jersey bill, titled the "Homeschool Parent’s Bill of Rights," affirms that parents or guardians have the fundamental right to direct their child’s education at home without government interference. It specifically grants homeschooling parents the right to design individualized curricula based on their child’s needs, choose instructors, explore topics of interest, maintain sole authority over curriculum, and set teaching pace and methods. The law takes immediate effect and applies directly to all homeschooling families in New Jersey, removing any requirement for state oversight of their educational choices. It does not mandate new government actions but declares parental control as a protected right.
This bill establishes a $5 million grant program to expand dual enrollment opportunities in career and technical education (CTE) for New Jersey high school students. Public colleges and universities can apply for competitive grants to offer college-level CTE courses on their campuses or in high schools, allowing students to earn college credits while still in high school. Institutions must submit detailed applications outlining their program plans, capacity, and expected student participation, with grants prioritizing programs designed to continue beyond the initial funding period. The Secretary of Higher Education must annually report to the Governor and Legislature on program participation, impact on workforce needs, and recommendations for future funding.
This bill establishes New Jersey's Elementary Home Reading Grant Program to improve reading proficiency among elementary students. It appropriates $500,000 in federal pandemic relief funds to provide grants to school districts partnering with nonprofits, requiring weekly book mailings to students' homes, multilingual parent engagement communications, and student-chosen book collections (6-9 books annually). School districts must submit competitive applications detailing how their programs meet specific criteria, including data tracking on parental engagement and reading progress. The program mandates annual data reporting to the state and requires districts to match grant funds at 100% per student.
This bill requires New Jersey public school boards to directly employ certified professionals for most instructional and support roles, such as teachers and instructional staff, rather than contracting for these services. Boards may apply for Commissioner-approved exemptions to contract for specific personnel, including substitute teachers, staff for alternative education programs, and special education services, to address program needs. The bill also permits contracting for roles like those providing financial literacy instruction, individualized learning opportunities, or dual-enrollment courses without direct employment. These provisions aim to ensure certified staff directly serve students while allowing flexibility for essential program support.
This bill allows New Jersey county colleges to apply for permission to offer bachelor's degrees in applied science fields where there is a critical shortage of qualified workers in the local area. To do this, a college must submit a detailed proposal covering program design, facilities, costs, curriculum, and enrollment plans to the New Jersey Presidents’ Council for review. The council reviews the proposal, recommends approval or denial to the Higher Education Secretary, and the college can only launch the program if it receives accreditation. County colleges are limited to offering no more than three such programs, and must report on student enrollment and completion seven years after launch to determine if the program should continue.
This bill requires school bus drivers, aides, and other personnel transporting students with disabilities to complete specialized training. The training covers behavior management, communication, adaptive equipment use, recognizing life-threatening emergencies (as defined in the bill), and safety procedures. Employers (school districts or contractors) must provide this training annually and require staff to certify completion within five business days. The bill does not mandate 911 calls or specific bus safety features, but focuses on personnel preparedness through training and certification. It is pending before the Assembly Education Committee.
This bill (A 3739) designates May of each year as "Water Safety Month" in New Jersey to raise public awareness about preventing water-related accidents and drowning. It directly affects public schools and students in grades kindergarten through five, encouraging the Department of Education (with the Department of Health) to provide resources for water safety education during this month. Key provisions include supporting school presentations, partnerships with nonprofits, and educational activities focused on age-appropriate safety practices. The bill aims to address drowning as a leading cause of death for young children, per CDC data, through proactive school-based learning.
