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.
This bill creates the School-Based Partnerships for Access and Resilience for Kids program within the Department of Children and Families to support student mental health. It requires school districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools to develop specific mental health support programs that connect students with high behavioral health needs to the new SPARK program navigator. The SPARK program, operated by the New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative, will provide same-day psychiatric consultations, referrals to community providers, and assistance with school re-entry after a mental health crisis. Access to these services is limited to students in kindergarten through grade 12 and requires written consent from a parent or legal guardian. Additionally, the bill mandates that schools have designated staff or formal agreements with external providers to ensure ongoing counseling support for their students.
This bill requires public school districts in New Jersey to provide a daily lunch period of at least 30 seated minutes and a daily recess period of at least 20 minutes for students in grades kindergarten through eight. The legislation expands current recess requirements, which previously applied only to students in grades kindergarten through five, to include older elementary and middle school students. While districts must generally provide these breaks, they may deny recess to a student no more than twice per week for code violations, provided the student participates in restorative justice activities instead, and may also deny recess based on medical advice or a 504 plan. The law does not require recess on days when the school schedule is substantially shortened due to early dismissal or delayed opening.
This bill creates a three-year pilot program to provide school-based mentoring for kindergarten through third-grade students in public schools located within 1,000 feet of a site where gunfire occurred in the previous school year. The program aims to improve the social-emotional and behavioral skills of these students by offering weekly, 25-minute one-on-one sessions focused on emotional monitoring, resilience, and self-control. Under the plan, the state Commissioner of Education will select the Jersey City School District and six other schools across the state to participate, providing grants to cover costs and allowing the use of third-party administrators. Participating schools must train mentors, identify students with specific developmental challenges, and evaluate progress before, during, and after the curriculum. At the end of the pilot, the Commissioner will report to the Governor and Legislature on whether the program should be expanded statewide.
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 creates a two-year pilot program in New Jersey to award a "State Seal of Civic Engagement" to high school seniors who demonstrate strong civic knowledge and community involvement. To qualify, students must complete a government course with a B- or higher, pass a state-approved civic literacy exam, and complete at least 10 hours of verified community service or civic activities. The Department of Education will select five school districts from different regions to participate, providing them with grants to cover program costs while they verify student eligibility and issue official certificates. At the end of the pilot, the Commissioner of Education will submit a report to the Governor and Legislature detailing the program's impact and recommending whether to expand it statewide.
This bill requires New Jersey county colleges to automatically notify graduating high school students in their county of acceptance into the college. The notification, sent by December 1, must include instructions on how to enroll, register for classes, and apply for financial aid without requiring a separate application or fee. While the offer guarantees admission to the college, it does not ensure placement in a specific major or specialized program. The legislation also mandates that the New Jersey Council of County Colleges submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on the program's implementation and impact.
This bill creates a voluntary program in New Jersey that awards a State Seal of Civic Readiness to high school graduates who demonstrate strong civic knowledge and engagement. To earn this distinction, students must show proficiency in civics through existing coursework, complete a civic-focused extracurricular activity or community service, and finish a citizenship-related project or portfolio. Participating school districts will issue a certificate and add an insignia to transcripts, while the State Board of Education will set specific criteria without adding new graduation requirements. The Commissioner of Education will also submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing how many students received the award.
This bill directs the New Jersey State Board of Education to create a program that covers the fees for high school equivalency exams for low-income individuals, defined as those living in households earning 150 percent or less of the federal poverty guidelines. To fund these payments, the legislation establishes a dedicated, nonlapsing fund within the Department of Education that accepts public donations and state appropriations. The bill also provides tax deductions for both individual and corporate taxpayers who contribute to this fund, making it easier for donors to support the initiative.
This bill requires New Jersey county colleges to automatically notify graduating high school students in their county of acceptance into the college. The notification must be sent by December 1 and include instructions on how to enroll, register for classes, and access financial aid and support services, while eliminating the need for a separate application or application fee. Although students receive an offer of admission, the bill clarifies that this does not guarantee placement in a specific major or specialized program. Additionally, the legislation mandates the creation of guidelines for identifying eligible students and requires an annual report on the program's impact, including data on enrollment and out-of-state migration.
