Education (Special Education)

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1180: Establishes Special Education Transportation Task Force.

This bill establishes a 22-member Special Education Transportation Task Force in New Jersey to study and recommend best practices for transporting students receiving special education services. The task force, including education officials, disability advocates, school staff, and parents, must address medical/emergency protocols, staff training, and transportation requirements within 12 months. It directly affects students with special needs, their families, school districts, and transportation providers. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was incorporated into an existing law (P.L.2025, c.301).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates task force to improve special education transportation protocols, enhancing access for students with disabilities per bill's purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Special Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 55: Prevents State school aid reduction in school districts that experienced decrease in equalized valuation and are located in certain counties.

This bill prevents reductions in state school aid for specific school districts in Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, and Ocean counties (all fifth or sixth class counties) if their property tax base (equalized valuation) has decreased compared to the 2012-2013 school year. It guarantees that a district’s total state aid for the current year cannot be lower than what it received in the 2017-2018 school year under these conditions. The bill excludes preschool aid, special education costs aid, school choice aid, and debt service aid from the "total state aid" calculation. It directly supports school districts still recovering from Superstorm Sandy’s property value impacts, ensuring their funding remains stable despite lower local tax revenues.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents state school aid reductions for districts with declining property tax bases, protecting public education funding and ensuring budget stability for affected school districts.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents state aid reductions for K-12 school districts facing property tax declines, guaranteeing stable funding levels in specified counties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Property Tax Early Childhood School Choice Special Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SR 25: Urges State to fully fund extraordinary special education aid for students in 2023-2024 fiscal year and thereafter.

This Senate resolution (SR 25) urges New Jersey to fully fund state reimbursements for school districts' extraordinary special education costs, as required by the 2008 School Funding Reform Act (SFRA). It specifically addresses the current shortfall where districts were eligible for $585.4 million in reimbursements for 2022-2023 but received only $420 million (71.7% of entitlement), affecting districts serving students with disabilities whose costs exceed $40,000 (public schools) or $55,000 (private schools). The resolution emphasizes that full funding is needed to help districts cover high costs for vulnerable students and stabilize budgets without shifting burdens to local taxpayers. It does not create new law but calls on the state to meet its existing legal obligation under the SFRA.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUrges full state funding for special education reimbursements, addressing $165.4M shortfall under SFRA, advancing essential public service funding.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationUrges full funding of special education reimbursements to address $165.4M shortfall, protecting student services under SFRA.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

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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 & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for teacher scholarship program, directly funding public education through new appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $7,200 per semester for teacher training to reduce financial barriers, directly funding educator preparation in high-demand subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Financial Aid Teachers

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1328: Provides three-year phase-in of full funding of extraordinary special education State aid.

New Jersey's S 1328 establishes a three-year phase-in for full state funding of extraordinary special education aid, which helps school districts cover high costs for students with disabilities. The bill gradually increases state reimbursement from 65% in the first year to 80% in the second year and 100% starting in the third year, based on costs exceeding $40,000 for public school placements or $55,000 for private school placements. School districts must apply for reimbursement, demonstrating that a student’s Individualized Education Plan requires intensive services and documenting expenses. This change directly affects districts serving students with severe disabilities who require costly specialized programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for special education via phased reimbursement (65%→100%), directly advancing public service funding within state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases state funding for special education aid (65%→100% over 3 years), directly advancing educational support for students with disabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1975: Provides Supplemental Transportation Growth Aid for school districts in 2023-2024 school year; appropriates $31.6 million.

S 1975 provides New Jersey school districts with additional transportation funding for the 2023-2024 school year, totaling $31.6 million. It allocates money based on student type: $40 per regular education student (including preschoolers in free full-day programs) and $275 per special education student requiring specialized transportation. This supplemental aid is added to existing state school aid, directly supporting districts with transportation costs. The bill specifies the calculation method and funding amount but does not change eligibility rules for transportation services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $31.6M for school transportation aid, increasing state budget for public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $31.6M supplemental transportation funding for NJ school districts, directly increasing financial support for K-12 operations and special education access.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $31.6M specifically for school district transportation costs, funding student transit needs through per-student rates for regular and special education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Special Education Transportation Funding

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1329: Provides for direct State payment of cost of special education and related services for certain students.

This bill would require New Jersey to directly pay providers for special education services for students with the most expensive needs, rather than having school districts pay upfront and seek partial state reimbursement. It applies to students whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) costs exceed $55,000 annually (adjusted yearly), covering services like residential care or specialized programs. The state would enter contracts directly with providers, make 10 monthly payments starting in October, and create a new Office of High Needs Placement Funding within the Department of Education to manage these payments. This aims to ensure full funding for high-cost special education as required by federal law, relieving school districts of the financial burden for these students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates direct state funding for high-cost special education services, eliminating district reimbursement delays and ensuring reliable payment for critical student needs under education funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2238: Directs State Board of Education to authorize issuance of new endorsements in certain fields.

This bill directs New Jersey's State Board of Education to create three new teaching endorsements: 1) A Students with Disabilities endorsement (pre-K-grade 12, excluding blind/visually impaired or deaf/hard-of-hearing students), allowing teachers to instruct all students with disabilities across all grade levels and provide consultative support. 2) A Kindergarten-Grade 8 endorsement, enabling teachers to teach grades K-6 and specialty subjects in grades 7-8. 3) A Bilingual and Bicultural endorsement, requiring language proficiency and a specialized program to teach bilingual education at all grade levels. These changes directly affect teachers seeking certification and students in special education, elementary/middle schools, and bilingual programs, replacing current endorsement restrictions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new teaching endorsements for disabilities, K-8, and bilingual education, expanding teacher qualifications and student access to specialized instruction.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Special Education Teachers

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1579: Provides supplemental appropriation to ensure certain school districts receive additional amounts of special education categorical, security categorical, and transportation aids.

S 1579 provides supplemental state funding to eligible New Jersey school districts for the 2024-2025 school year. It ensures districts receive additional special education, security, and transportation aid if their current allocations fall below amounts calculated under the 2008 School Funding Reform Act. To qualify, districts must have faced two consecutive years of state aid reductions (2023-2024 and 2024-2025) and be spending below adequacy. The bill supplements existing state aid without altering the overall funding formula, aiming to prevent budget cuts for qualifying districts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides supplemental state funding to school districts for special education, security, and transportation aids, increasing public education appropriations without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides supplemental state funding for special education, security, and transportation aids to eligible NJ school districts, directly increasing financial support for K-12 education operations.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly allocates supplemental state funds for transportation aids to school districts, directly advancing transportation funding within education infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations School Funding Special Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1994: Establishes "Students with Communication Disabilities' Bill of Rights."

This bill establishes New Jersey's "Students with Communication Disabilities' Bill of Rights," requiring school districts to ensure students with communication disabilities (affecting speech, hearing, or vision) receive tailored support. It mandates schools provide early screening, trained assistants using a student's preferred communication method (like sign language or AAC devices), and communication plans in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Schools must also guarantee full access to all educational activities - from classrooms to extracurriculars - and ensure parents receive linguistic support. The law aligns with existing federal protections under the ADA and IDEA but codifies specific school district obligations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates tailored support, early screening, and communication plans for students with disabilities in IEPs, directly enhancing educational access and protections per topic description.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly requires AAC devices (technology) for communication access, promoting digital equity for students with disabilities by mandating tailored tech-based support in IEPs.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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