Education in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2907: Requires DOE to develop transition checklist for students with disabilities; requires DOE to maintain information on website concerning transition resources.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to create a standardized checklist for school districts to help students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) plan their transition from high school to post-secondary life. The checklist covers key areas like college, jobs, healthcare, legal independence, and community resources, and must be reviewed with students (starting at age 16) and parents twice yearly by IEP teams. Additionally, the Department must maintain up-to-date transition resource information on its website for students, families, and schools to access easily.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Special Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1360: Establishes gross income tax credit and corporation business tax credit for student loan payments.

This New Jersey bill (S 1360) creates tax credits for residents and employers who pay student loans used for higher education expenses. Qualified taxpayers (New Jersey residents with associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degrees in STEM fields who worked in the state) can claim a credit against their state income tax equal to a portion of their student loan payments, based on a federal benchmark. Employers can also claim a credit for paying employees’ eligible student loans (100% for full-time, 50% for part-time), with unused credits carried forward up to seven years. The bill specifically targets STEM graduates and aims to reduce student debt burden through state tax incentives.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Student Financial Aid

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2643: Concerns charter school enrollment, student placements, reporting, and athletics.

This New Jersey bill (S 2643) amends charter school laws to clarify enrollment rules, student placements, and reporting requirements. It requires charter schools to admit all students without discrimination (except for grade-level or program-specific limits), prioritize local students with random selection for oversubscribed seats, and establish procedures for non-resident enrollment. The bill also mandates charter schools to appoint student placement liaisons who track student transitions, conduct exit interviews for non-graduating students, and report exit data (like reasons for leaving) in annual reports. The bill was withdrawn after becoming law as P.L.2025, c.276.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Choice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2846: Establishes two-generational school readiness and workforce development pilot program for certain low-income households.

S 2846 establishes a five-year pilot program in New Jersey's Department of Education to support low-income households through integrated services for both parents/caregivers and children. The program will operate in municipalities with poverty rates at least twice the statewide average, providing bundled services like early learning, adult education, job training, childcare, housing assistance, and health services - all coordinated at a single location. It requires a long-term plan for statewide expansion, partnerships with philanthropic organizations, and a workforce liaison to align services with employer needs. An interagency working group will oversee implementation and report on outcomes - including family economic stability, school readiness, and workforce success - within four years.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Property Development Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2452: "Safer Students Act"; requires school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, contracted service providers, and institutions of higher education to review employment history of prospective employee for allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct.

S 2452, the "Safer Students Act," requires school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, contracted service providers, and colleges to review employment histories of prospective employees for allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct. Specifically, it mandates that applicants provide a list of employers from the past 20 years (including those involving child contact) and authorize background checks, while schools must verify these histories using the Department of Human Services database and contact prior employers directly. The law also requires employers to report new hires to the state within 20 days (or 15 days electronically) for inclusion in the verification system. This bill is pending in the Senate Education Committee as of its January 13, 2026, introduction.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 347: Requires Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery-Armed Forces Qualifying Test to be offered as alternative assessment for high school graduation proficiency test requirement.

This bill (S 347) requires New Jersey's State Board of Education to reinstate the ASVAB-AFQT (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery-Armed Forces Qualifying Test) as an approved alternative test for high school graduation. It directly affects public high school students who need to meet graduation proficiency requirements, allowing them to use the ASVAB-AFQT instead of the standard state test. The key provision adds the ASVAB-AFQT back to the list of "substitute competency tests" that students can use to demonstrate mastery of state learning standards. This change reverses a 2023 decision by the State Board that removed the ASVAB-AFQT from approved alternatives. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2758: Provides supplemental transportation aid to certain districts participating in interdistrict public school choice program.

This bill (S 2758) requires certain choice districts in New Jersey (specifically those in second-class cities under court-ordered desegregation efforts) to provide transportation for public school choice students living more than 2 miles from elementary schools or 2.5 miles from secondary schools. It mandates that sending districts (the districts students come from) receive state transportation aid for these students, which they must then pay directly to the choice district. If the choice district’s actual transportation costs exceed the state aid received, it may qualify for supplemental state reimbursement - provided it uses cost-efficient routes (like centralized pickups) and reports annual cost differences to the Department of Education. The bill aims to cover transportation expenses for students in interdistrict school choice programs without shifting costs to participating districts.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics School Choice School Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2615: Requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage for enrollment of student in recovery high school alternative education program.

This bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover enrollment in recovery high school alternative education programs as part of mental health/substance use disorder treatment. It applies when a certified counselor, physician, or school official determines placement is clinically appropriate using standard medical criteria. Insurance must cover these programs under the same terms as other medical benefits, without stricter limits than those applied to general medical care. The law amends existing insurance coverage requirements to include this specific educational option for students with substance use disorders. It directly affects students seeking recovery-focused education and health insurers providing coverage in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

signed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 229: Requires institutions of higher education to collect and report employment data for certain graduates.

New Jersey's S 229 requires colleges and universities to collect and publicly report detailed employment outcomes and earnings data for recent graduates, along with other key metrics like graduation rates, costs, and financial aid. Institutions must post annual, disaggregated data (by race, gender, income, and other factors) on their websites, including employment rates, average student debt, and cost projections for different student scenarios. This transparency aims to help prospective students and families compare institutions based on concrete outcomes rather than general information. The law applies to all higher education institutions in New Jersey, with reports due annually and linked directly from application pages. The Secretary of Higher Education will also compile comparative profiles to help students easily evaluate institutions.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 584: Establishes three-year pilot program in DOE to provide certain students with information and assistance regarding federal financial aid application.

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey to help 12th-grade students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Participating school districts must provide students with instruction on FAFSA requirements, including necessary documentation, key terms (like "dependent" or "household size"), eligibility rules, and deadlines - delivered through classroom sessions, counselors, or family workshops. Schools must also share FAFSA information with parents/guardians via written or electronic means and provide paper FAFSA forms upon request. The program selects 12 school districts (four per geographic region) to test the approach, with a final report due to the Governor and Legislature assessing whether to expand it statewide.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

All education bills