Education

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3018: Requires Commissioner of Education to develop best practices guidelines concerning student preparation for State assessments.

This bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create and issue guidelines by September 1, 2023, for school districts on preparing students for state assessments. The guidelines must include best practices for test preparation, specifically addressing how to limit the amount of classroom time dedicated to test prep. These rules apply directly to all public school districts in New Jersey that administer state assessments. The bill focuses on setting clear parameters for instructional time rather than changing the assessments themselves.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates guidelines to limit classroom time on test prep, promoting balanced instruction over test-focused teaching, aligning with educational quality improvements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3812: Permits excused student absences for mental or behavioral health reasons.

This bill requires New Jersey public schools to count absences for mental or behavioral health needs as excused, directly affecting students, parents, and school districts. Parents must provide documentation to school officials to verify such absences, and students must be allowed to make up missed work without penalty to their attendance record or eligibility for attendance-based awards. School districts cannot list these absences on transcripts or employment forms, and the Education and Health Commissioners must develop guidelines defining qualifying health reasons. The policy aims to support student well-being while ensuring academic continuity, with implementation required for the first full school year after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill permits excused mental health absences without penalty, ensuring students maintain educational access and eligibility while protecting records from stigma, advancing student well-being and school support systems.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly permits excused absences for mental health, removing academic penalties and ensuring access to care without stigma or record impact, directly supporting mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1316: Expands Tuition Aid Grant program to include workforce training programs.

This bill expands New Jersey's Tuition Aid Grant Program to cover eligible workforce training programs, directly affecting students seeking non-degree credentials in high-demand fields. To qualify, programs must require 150+ classroom hours, offer industry-valued credentials, and maintain 70%+ completion and job placement rates. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will designate eligible programs and set participation rules, while institutions must report program success metrics. This change allows workforce training participants to access state aid previously limited to degree-granting programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state-funded tuition aid program requiring new budget allocation for workforce training, directly increasing public spending on education services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition aid to workforce training, increasing access to educational programs and funding for non-degree credentials in high-demand fields.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands access to workforce training for high-demand fields with job placement requirements, directly advancing employment outcomes and skill development for workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid Workforce Development

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4287: Establishes Safe Remote Learning Program in DOE to support provision of remote instruction facilities by public schools.

This bill establishes New Jersey's Safe Remote Learning Program within the Department of Education to support schools providing remote instruction during the pandemic. It requires schools to set up remote learning facilities meeting specific standards: equipped with connected devices and mobile broadband internet, staffed by qualified personnel, and operating under health guidelines. The program prioritizes access for students eligible for free meals and children of essential workers (including school staff), with schools reimbursed for facility costs using federal CARES Act funds. It directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools implementing virtual learning, ensuring equitable access to remote instruction resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes DOE program to fund remote learning facilities, prioritizing underserved students and ensuring access to devices/internet, directly advancing educational access and infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires schools to provide mobile broadband internet for remote learning, directly expanding internet access for students, especially vulnerable groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2880: Directs State Board of Education to rescind New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education and directs boards of education to establish Parental Advisory Committees and adopt standards for health instruction.

This bill would cancel New Jersey's 2020 health and physical education standards and prohibit the State Board of Education from creating new state-level standards in these subjects. It requires each local school district to form a Parental Advisory Committee (made of parents/guardians) to help develop new curriculum standards, with public meetings and online posting of recommendations. Within 180 days of enactment, districts must adopt new standards that include mandatory suicide prevention education and organ donation information for students. The bill shifts authority for setting health education standards from the state to local school boards.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRescinds state-mandated health/PE standards, replaces with local parental committees, restricting state curriculum authority and removing existing requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Student Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1320: Prohibits public institutions of higher education from increasing resident undergraduate tuition by more than two percent over prior academic year.

This bill caps annual tuition increases for resident undergraduate students at New Jersey's public colleges and universities at no more than 2% above the previous year's rate. It directly affects public higher education institutions and in-state undergraduate students by limiting how much tuition can rise each academic year. The key provision prohibits any institution from raising resident undergraduate tuition rates beyond this 2% threshold, regardless of existing laws or regulations. The law takes effect immediately for the first full academic year after enactment, applying to all public institutions of higher education in the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill caps public higher education tuition increases at 2% for in-state students, directly promoting affordability and access to higher education by limiting cost burdens on students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3442: Requires upcoming Educational Adequacy Report to include comprehensive review of certain components of school funding in consultation with certain stakeholders and experts.

This New Jersey bill (S 3442) requires the next Educational Adequacy Report to include a comprehensive review of school funding formulas after consulting with stakeholders and experts. It mandates that the Governor, working with the Commissioner of Education, engage school administrators, parents, students, and community members to identify underfunded resources, and commission school finance experts to review methodologies for calculating key funding amounts. These amounts include base per-pupil funding, special education costs, transportation aid, and preschool funding. The goal is to ensure the funding formulas adequately support students meeting state education standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires comprehensive review of school funding formulas to identify underfunded resources, aiming to improve equitable resource allocation and address funding gaps in education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood School Funding Special Education

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

ACR 126: Expresses intent of Legislature that "School Funding Reform Act of 2008" be revised to stabilize State aid reductions.

ACR 126 is a concurrent resolution expressing the New Jersey Legislature's intent to revise the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 (SFRA) to prevent abrupt state aid cuts for school districts. It specifically targets districts in the Highlands Region (protected by the Highlands Water Protection Act) and other areas with development restrictions, which limit their ability to raise local taxes to offset aid losses. The resolution highlights that eliminating "adjustment aid" in 2018 under S2 caused significant funding shortfalls, and the current formula disadvantages these districts due to restricted housing and business growth. This resolution does not change the law but formally urges the state to revise the SFRA to stabilize funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents abrupt state aid cuts for schools, stabilizing funding for districts limited by tax restrictions under Highlands Act, protecting public education budget stability.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill aims to stabilize state aid for schools by revising SFRA to prevent abrupt cuts, protecting funding for districts with limited tax revenue due to development restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2325: Makes supplemental appropriation of $1.2 million for Community College Opportunity Grant.

This bill adds $1.2 million in supplemental funding to the Community College Opportunity Grant program for the 2026 fiscal year. It directly supports low-income New Jersey community college students who meet specific criteria: enrolled in at least six credits, without a prior degree, with household income under $65,000 (or reduced awards for $65,001-$100,000), and who complete financial aid applications. The grant covers remaining tuition and approved fees not covered by other aid, up to 18 credits per semester. This funding ensures continued access to financial support for eligible students pursuing associate degrees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1.2M supplemental funding to expand access to community college grants for low-income students, directly increasing state budget allocation for public education support.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds $1.2M supplemental funding to Community College Opportunity Grant, directly supporting low-income students' access to tuition coverage and educational opportunities at community colleges.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3700: Requires public schools, and nonpublic schools which receive federal funding, to provide students with information on rights afforded under Title IX, and provide contact information for Title IX coordinator.

This bill requires all New Jersey public schools and nonpublic schools receiving federal funding to post specific information on their websites. Schools must clearly state students' rights under Title IX, provide the Title IX coordinator's contact details (including phone and email), and explain how to file complaints - including statute of limitations and investigation procedures. The Commissioner of Education must also send annual reminders to schools about these requirements. The law applies immediately to schools subject to Title IX regulations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates schools to provide Title IX rights information and complaint procedures, strengthening student protections under educational non-discrimination laws.95% confidence

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