Education (Testing & Assessment) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 15, 2026

S 4456: Authorizes school districts to award alternate high school diploma to certain students with disabilities.

This New Jersey bill authorizes school districts to issue alternate high school diplomas to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities starting in the 2027-2028 school year. These diplomas are standards-based and require students to complete specific curriculum units in subjects like language arts, mathematics, and science using alternate academic achievement standards. The legislation ensures that receiving an alternate diploma does not end a student's right to special education services until they turn 21 and allows these diplomas to be counted in state graduation rate reports. Additionally, the bill permits students participating in the alternate assessment program to still attempt to meet the requirements for a standard State-endorsed diploma.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Special Education Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 15, 2026

A 5255: Authorizes school districts to award alternate high school diploma to certain students with disabilities.

This New Jersey bill authorizes school districts to issue an alternate high school diploma to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who participate in the state's Alternate Assessment Program. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, these diplomas will be standards-based and require students to complete specific curriculum units in subjects like English, mathematics, and science using alternate academic achievement standards. The legislation ensures that receiving an alternate diploma does not end a student's right to special education services until they turn 21 and allows these students to be included in state graduation rate calculations. Additionally, the bill permits students to attempt to meet the requirements for a standard State-endorsed diploma and clarifies that participation in the alternate program does not determine their educational placement under federal law.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Special Education Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 5202: Requires graduation reporting on student proficiency in English language arts, literacy, and mathematics.

This bill requires local school administrators in New Jersey to annually report on the academic proficiency of students who receive a state-endorsed diploma. Specifically, the report must detail how many graduates demonstrated grade-level proficiency in English language arts, literacy, and mathematics, as well as their performance on recent statewide assessments. The legislation mandates that these statistics be shared in aggregate form only, ensuring no personally identifiable information about individual students is released. Local boards of education must approve the data and post it on their websites and the state Department of Education's website. The changes take effect starting in the first full school year after the law is enacted.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 5003: Establishes 90-day State tax amnesty period ending no later than January 15, 2027; dedicates revenues collected during tax amnesty period for Stabilization Aid to school districts; appropriates up to $15 million.

This bill creates a 90-day tax amnesty period in New Jersey that must conclude by January 15, 2027, allowing taxpayers to pay overdue state taxes from 2017 to 2026 with reduced interest and waived penalties. To participate, individuals must pay the full tax amount plus half of the accrued interest while agreeing to give up the right to appeal the tax assessment. Any money collected during this amnesty window will be placed into a dedicated account to provide stabilization funding for school districts, with an initial appropriation of up to $15 million. The program excludes taxpayers currently under criminal investigation for tax matters and requires them to file any missing tax returns by the end of the amnesty period.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Appropriations Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4292: Establishes timeline for DOE to provide State assessment results to public schools and for public schools to provide results to parents.

This New Jersey bill establishes specific deadlines for sharing standardized test scores between the state education department, public schools, and parents. It requires the Department of Education to send assessment results to public schools at least 30 days before the end of each school year. Once schools receive these results, they must provide individual student scores to parents and guardians within 15 days. The law applies to all state-mandated assessments and aims to create a more predictable timeline for data distribution without changing the testing requirements themselves.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 19, 2026

A 4751: Revises conditions for, and permits use of, virtual or remote instruction to meet minimum 180-day school year requirement in certain circumstances.

This bill allows New Jersey school districts to count up to five days of virtual or remote instruction toward the state's minimum 180-day school year requirement when schools are closed due to inclement weather, emergencies, or public health directives. It applies to public school districts, charter schools, and other district types that receive state aid, requiring them to submit approved remote learning programs to the state commissioner for review. The legislation ensures that virtual instruction days count as full attendance days for graduation requirements and course credits, while also mandating that students with disabilities receive equivalent educational opportunities through electronic platforms. Additionally, the bill requires the commissioner to establish guidelines addressing technology access, instruction length, meal programs, and assessment scheduling for remote learning scenarios.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3773: Requires school programs of virtual or remote instruction to be implemented primarily through use of virtual instructional sessions.

This bill requires New Jersey school districts that offer virtual or remote instruction programs to primarily deliver lessons through live, interactive video sessions rather than pre-recorded materials. It applies to all public school districts, charter schools, and vocational districts receiving state aid, ensuring students receive real-time instruction from teachers. The legislation also mandates that districts provide equal educational opportunities to students with disabilities through virtual platforms and requires the state education commissioner to establish guidelines for technology access, class duration, and assessment scheduling. Additionally, the bill clarifies that virtual instruction days count toward the 180-day school attendance requirement during emergencies and gives superintendents authority to implement remote learning plans when schools close due to health emergencies.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 3933: Directs Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to provide security risk assessment guidance to certain institutions of higher education.

This bill directs New Jersey's Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to create security risk assessment guidance for public and private colleges and universities that receive state funding. The guidance will help institutions evaluate hazards related to campus safety, data security, emergency planning, infrastructure, and mental health access, while also providing a standardized checklist for annual reviews. Institutions must submit completed checklists to the office each year, and these documents will remain confidential but may inform decisions about state grants for safety upgrades. The office will also offer technical assistance to ensure consistent completion of assessments across all affected schools.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Safety Testing & Assessment Mental Health Consumer Data Protection

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1641: Requires carbon monoxide detectors in school buildings.

This bill requires all public and private school buildings in New Jersey to install carbon monoxide detectors meeting Underwriters Laboratories standard 2034, unless a hazard assessment determines no risk exists. The Commissioner of Community Affairs must create rules for detector placement and hazard evaluations, and school construction permits must include detector provisions. Local authorities may charge fees to cover inspection costs for compliance, but fees cannot exceed actual inspection expenses. The law amends existing fire safety and construction code regulations to implement these requirements.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3870: Requires Commissioner of Education to establish matching grant program for certain school districts and schools using federal funds to increase instructional time and accelerate learning.

Bill A 3870 establishes a matching grant program requiring New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to provide school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects with 50% matching funds from their eligible American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funds. It directly affects schools demonstrating increased learning loss (based on state assessment data showing more students in "did not meet expectations" categories compared to 2018-19) who use ARP funds to expand instructional time. Key provisions include funding evidence-based interventions like after-school programs, summer academies, high-dosage tutoring, staff hiring, and career pathways to address pandemic-related learning gaps. Grants are capped at $200 million total, with schools required to submit detailed applications showing data-driven needs, program effectiveness, and subgroup impacts. The program mandates annual reporting on student achievement outcomes by the Commissioner.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Testing & Assessment

All education bills