Education (Special Education) 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 5266: Requires school districts to provide certain minimum periods of lunch and recess for certain 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.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Special Education Student Health

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 5221: Makes various changes to school funding law.

This bill updates New Jersey's school funding law to improve how the state calculates and distributes financial aid to school districts. It establishes a clearer timeline for the state education commissioner to send preliminary aid estimates by mid-January and final maximum aid amounts shortly after the governor submits the state budget. The legislation also defines specific terms for calculating aid based on factors like pupil counts, special education needs, and geographic costs, ensuring districts receive payments based on projected data with adjustments made later if actual numbers differ. These changes directly affect local school districts and the state's Division of Taxation by standardizing the process for determining how much money each district receives from the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding Special Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 5178: Prohibits application of State aid growth limit to State school aid provided in 2026-2027 school year; appropriates $332.6 million.

This bill prevents the state from applying a six percent growth limit to school funding for the 2026-2027 school year, ensuring districts receive their full calculated aid without reduction. It directly affects school districts by mandating that the Department of Education ignore any rules that would cap increases in equalization, transportation, special education, and security aid. To fund this change, the legislation appropriates $332.6 million from the Property Tax Relief Fund to the Department of Education. The act takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Property Tax School Funding Special Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4349: Concerns enrollment of twins or higher order multiples in public preschool programs.

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.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Early Childhood School Choice Special Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 5054: Requires State school aid reductions in any school year to be applied in following school year.

This bill modifies how New Jersey applies reductions to state school aid, requiring that any cuts made in one school year be postponed and applied to the district's funding in the next school year instead. It directly affects school districts that face budget reductions by ensuring they receive their full allocated aid amount for the current year, with the shortfall deducted later. The law defines "state school aid" to include specific categories like equalization and special education funding, and it overrides previous rules that might have allowed immediate reductions. By deferring these financial adjustments, the measure aims to provide districts with more predictable funding while maintaining the total amount of aid reduced over a two-year period.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4356: Prohibits application of State aid growth limit to State school aid provided in 2026-2027 school year; appropriates $332.6 million.

This bill prevents the state from applying a six percent growth limit to school funding for the 2026-2027 school year. It directly affects school districts by ensuring they receive their full calculated aid for equalization, transportation, special education, and security categories without reduction. To fund this change, the legislation appropriates $332.6 million from the Property Tax Relief Fund to the Department of Education. The act takes effect immediately and overrides any existing rules that would have restricted these aid increases.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget School Funding Special Education

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

A 4865: Requires extraordinary special education aid to school districts for students with costs over $55,000 to be assessed and levied by county in which school district is located.

This bill requires New Jersey counties to assess and collect taxes to fund extraordinary special education costs for students whose care exceeds $55,000. Under the new rules, school districts would receive state aid for costs between $40,000 and $55,000, while costs above $55,000 would be covered by a combination of state aid and local county levies. The legislation shifts the financial responsibility for the most expensive student cases from the state entirely to a shared model involving local county taxes. This change directly affects school districts in counties that must now raise additional funds to cover the highest-cost special education placements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4568: Permits boards of education to provide chess instruction to students in grades two through eight in certain circumstances.

This bill allows New Jersey school boards to offer chess instruction to students in grades two through eight who are enrolled in gifted and talented or special education programs. The legislation amends existing state law to authorize these educational opportunities while permitting the Department of Education to create guidelines for implementation. The bill does not mandate chess programs but rather provides schools with the option to include chess as part of their curriculum for specific student populations.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Special Education

All education bills