Education (Teachers) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 239: Eliminates use of standardized assessments as measure of student growth or progress in evaluations of teachers, principals, assistant principals, and vice-principals.

S 239 eliminates standardized test scores as a measure of student growth in evaluating teachers, principals, assistant principals, and vice-principals. The bill amends New Jersey law to explicitly prohibit using standardized assessments for this purpose in evaluation rubrics, replacing them with multiple measures of student learning and professional practice. School districts must adopt new evaluation systems by December 2012, using criteria like multiple objective measures (excluding standardized tests), professional standards, and observation protocols. This directly affects all K-12 school staff in New Jersey whose evaluations rely on student growth metrics. The change modifies existing teacher evaluation rules under the TEACHNJ Act to remove standardized tests as a factor in determining educator effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1146: Allows gross income tax deduction for up to $1,200 of unreimbursed expenses incurred by eligible educators for purchase of classroom supplies.

This bill (S 1146) allows eligible K-12 teachers in New Jersey to deduct up to $1,200 annually from their gross income tax for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses. It directly affects public and nonpublic school teachers who personally pay for items like books, pencils, computers, lab equipment, and other daily classroom materials. The deduction applies to expenses not covered by the school district, with the $1,200 limit capping the tax benefit. The policy takes effect for taxable years beginning after the bill’s enactment date.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Income Tax K-12 Education Teachers

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3081: Establishes program in DOE to support school districts in developing grow-your-own programs for hiring of teachers of students with disabilities.

New Jersey's S 3081 requires the Department of Education to create a program supporting school districts in developing "grow-your-own" teacher programs for hiring teachers of students with disabilities. School districts applying for funding must detail how they will train current non-certified staff (like paraprofessionals), cover certification costs, provide mentorship, and address local teacher shortages. The program prioritizes districts with the greatest shortages and ensures geographic diversity in funding across northern, central, and southern regions. The bill does not change existing teacher certification requirements under state law.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Teachers Professional Licensing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1342: Eliminates State residency requirement for mathematics and science public school teachers.

S 1342 eliminates the requirement that mathematics and science teachers in New Jersey public schools must live in the state. The bill amends a law that previously applied residency rules to many public employees, by adding a specific exemption for teachers of these subjects in school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects. This means math and science teachers can work in New Jersey without needing to reside there, expanding potential hiring pools for schools. The exemption applies directly to all teachers hired to teach mathematics or science in these educational settings.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Teachers

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 224: Establishes "Police Officer, Firefighter, Public School Teacher, Corrections Officer, and Sanitation Worker Home-buyer Assistance Act"; appropriates $5 million.

New Jersey's S 224 creates a down-payment assistance program for police officers, firefighters, public school teachers, corrections officers, and sanitation workers in designated school districts. It provides $10,000 zero-interest second mortgages (for down payments and closing costs) that are forgiven at 20% per year over five years, contingent on the home remaining the applicant's primary residence. To qualify, applicants must have at least one year of employment in their respective public sector roles and live in a participating neighborhood within an SDA school district. The program is funded by a $5 million state appropriation to the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Appropriations Policing Teachers Homeownership Housing Finance Mortgages

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2651: Permits certain substitute teachers to enroll in TPAF.

This bill (S 2651) aims to amend New Jersey's Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) eligibility rules. The title indicates it would permit certain substitute teachers to enroll in TPAF, though the provided bill text only includes definitions (like "compensation" and "teacher") without showing the specific amendment enabling this change. The text references existing definitions but does not detail how the bill would alter eligibility for substitute teachers. Without the actual amendment language or clear policy changes in the provided text, a detailed summary of the bill's mechanisms cannot be confirmed. The bill is currently in committee referral status (introduced January 13, 2026).

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Teachers

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1067: Increases reporting requirements for the NJ Basic Skills Training Program for Economic Growth.

S 1067 (NJ Basic Skills Training Program bill) reallocates funding for workforce development programs rather than increasing reporting requirements, as its title suggests. The bill changes how 100% of the "Supplemental Workforce Fund" is distributed: 24% supports One Stop Career Centers, 28% funds Workforce Investment Boards, 25% (with 12.5% dedicated to apprenticeship pilots) aids employer/educator consortia, $3 million minimum goes to community colleges, and 10% covers administrative costs. It directly affects displaced/disadvantaged workers, employers (requiring them to pay regular wages during training without paperwork), and community colleges delivering basic skills training. Key mechanisms include fixed funding percentages, employer wage requirements during training, and annual reporting by the community college consortium.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education Teachers Apprenticeships Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2605: Establishes New Jersey Student Teacher Scholarship.

S 2605 proposes creating the New Jersey Student Teacher Scholarship Program to reduce financial barriers for aspiring teachers. It would provide eligible students up to $7,200 per semester (max two semesters) to cover costs during required clinical practice in approved teacher preparation programs. To qualify, students must be New Jersey residents enrolled full-time in an approved program, completing steps to access clinical practice, with potential focus on high-demand subjects like math or special education. The program, administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, requires students to maintain academic standing and terminates scholarships for dismissal or withdrawal due to illness/family emergencies without requiring repayment. The bill also mandates annual data collection on program participants.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Financial Aid Teachers

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 579: Provides gross income tax deduction to eligible educators and paraprofessionals for expense of classroom supplies.

This bill would allow New Jersey teachers and school aides to deduct up to $250 annually from their state taxes for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses. Eligible educators include K-12 teachers, counselors, principals, and paraprofessionals (like classroom aides) who work at least 900 hours yearly in public or private New Jersey schools. The deduction covers books, computers, software, and teaching materials, but excludes health/physical education supplies. It mirrors a federal tax provision and applies to taxable years starting after enactment. The bill directly affects qualifying school staff by reducing their state tax burden for essential classroom costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax K-12 Education Teachers

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2829: Requires candidate for teacher certification to complete course or training on anti-racism in education.

This bill (S 2829) requires all new teaching certification candidates in New Jersey - both those completing standard educator preparation programs and those using alternate certification routes - to complete a mandatory course or training on anti-racism in education. The course must cover topics like racial literacy, examining educator bias, and how racism impacts classroom decisions such as grading and discipline. Approved educator preparation programs must update their curricula to include this requirement and share course syllabi and required texts online, though the state will not review or approve these materials. The requirement would take effect in the first full school year after the bill becomes law, applying to all new candidates seeking certification.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Teachers

All education bills