This bill changes how the state calculates financial aid for preschool programs in school districts that are newly receiving this funding for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. Currently, these districts must split the cost of preschool programs between state aid and local taxes, but the legislation exempts them from this requirement. Instead, the state will provide a larger share of funding based on the total number of enrolled students and program costs. This change allows affected districts to receive more state money without needing separate voter approval to raise local taxes to cover the remaining expenses. The bill is estimated to increase state spending by approximately $7.5 million in the 2027 fiscal year.
This bill requires all New Jersey school districts to teach bullying awareness and prevention as part of their health and physical education curriculum for students from preschool through 12th grade. The instruction must cover specific topics such as defining different types of bullying, the lasting impact of social media posts, how to seek help, and the consequences faced by those who bully others. Additionally, the curriculum should address how intolerance toward various identities can worsen bullying, while the state education commissioner will provide sample lessons and resources to assist schools.
This bill allows parents of twins or higher-order multiples to request that their children be placed in the same or separate classrooms within New Jersey public preschool programs. It extends existing rules for kindergarten through eighth grade to preschoolers and requires schools treating these siblings as a single unit during lottery or open enrollment processes. The legislation also permits principals to move students to different classrooms if the current placement disrupts the class or hinders academic and social development, while parents remain responsible for any extra transportation costs unless the district agrees otherwise.
This bill extends existing New Jersey laws regarding classroom placement for twins and higher-order multiples to include public preschool programs. It allows parents to request that their multiples be placed in the same or separate classrooms, with the school principal making the final decision based on available space and educational needs. Additionally, the bill requires that when preschool seats are awarded through a lottery or open enrollment system, these siblings must be treated as a single unit to ensure they attend the same program. If one child requires special education services, the placement must align with that child's individualized education plan, and parents may be responsible for any extra transportation costs resulting from the requested arrangement.
This bill modifies how New Jersey school districts calculate the tax levy limits for preschool education aid, specifically targeting districts that operate pilot programs or are newly receiving such funding. It establishes a formula that allows districts to raise taxes to cover local shares of preschool costs by accounting for increases in student enrollment, healthcare expenses, and pension contributions beyond set thresholds. The legislation also includes specific rules for districts with low tax levies and those participating in pilot programs starting in the 2027-2028 school year. Ultimately, the act updates existing state laws to provide clearer guidelines on how much local funding districts can generate to support preschool education.
This bill updates New Jersey laws regarding speech-language services in schools by modernizing job titles and refining how students with communication impairments are evaluated. It requires that a speech-language specialist be included in the basic child study team when assessing preschool children with disabilities or communication issues, and it mandates that these specialists consult with the team during classification decisions. Additionally, the legislation restricts school districts from contracting with private agencies for speech-language services, allowing such contracts only to fill temporary staffing vacancies when the district cannot hire enough internal staff.
This bill requires New Jersey to pay child care subsidies for three- and four-year-olds at a rate equal to the state's per-pupil preschool education funding, but only for high-quality programs rated by the Grow NJ Kids system. It establishes an annual review process to adjust these subsidy amounts based on current education aid figures and mandates that the Division of Family Development create an application process for eligible providers. Additionally, the legislation directs state agencies to publish application information online and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing the number of participating children and total spending, while also appropriating necessary funds from the General Fund.
This bill requires New Jersey school districts that receive specific state preschool funding to partner with licensed child care providers and Head Start programs to offer free preschool education. Under the new rules, districts receiving these grants cannot use state funds to operate more than two preschool classrooms in a single school building, forcing them to contract with external providers to meet demand. To ensure quality and fairness, the legislation mandates that districts use competitive contracting to select partners and must publicly disclose which providers are chosen or rejected. Additionally, the Department of Education will offer technical assistance and establish a grant program to help these external providers meet high-quality standards, with priority given to those serving underserved communities.
This bill requires school districts in New Jersey that include preschool through fifth-grade students to offer the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program. The program teaches children four simple rules to follow if they encounter a firearm: stop, do not touch, leave the area, and tell an adult. It mandates that instruction must not involve real firearms or make value judgments about guns, focusing solely on safety protocols endorsed by law enforcement agencies.
This bill creates the New Jersey Student Emergency Aid Program to provide one-time financial grants to undergraduate students at public colleges and universities facing unexpected crises. The program covers essential living expenses such as food, housing, and childcare, but explicitly excludes payment for tuition, fees, or student loans. A new revolving fund will be established to manage these grants, initially seeded with $1.5 million from the state's general fund. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will set specific rules for eligibility and distribution, while colleges must report annually on how the aid is used and its impact on student retention.
