Education in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2487: Establishes "New Jersey College Ready Students Program Act"; provides tuition-free dual enrollment opportunities at county college for certain high school students.

This bill establishes New Jersey's "College Ready Students Program," providing tuition-free dual enrollment at county colleges for eligible public high school students. It directly affects 11th and 12th graders who meet financial need criteria (matching NJ Educational Opportunity Fund standards) and maintain a minimum C average in college courses. Students may earn up to 6 tuition-free credits per school year (3 per semester), with school districts required to have dual enrollment agreements with county colleges. The state covers all tuition costs, and the Commissioner of Education must annually report program metrics like participation rates and student outcomes to the Governor and Legislature.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 2194: Establishes pilot program providing tuition fee waiver for certain apprenticeship courses.*

This bill would provide tuition waivers for classroom courses within registered apprenticeship programs at New Jersey public colleges and vocational schools. It applies to individuals with household income below the state median (as defined by U.S. Census data), who have exhausted all other financial aid and maintain active apprenticeship employment. The state would reimburse institutions for waived tuition costs, covering only the classroom training portion of approved apprenticeships. Eligibility requires completing a FAFSA annually and meeting academic progress standards.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Apprenticeships

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 2424: Prohibits public institution of higher education from charging tuition to student who is dependent child of veteran who died or is disabled as result of service-related injury.

S 2424 provides tuition-free education at New Jersey public colleges for dependent children of veterans who died or are totally disabled due to service-related injuries, as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It covers up to 60 credit hours for associate degrees and 120 credit hours for bachelor's degrees, subject to residency requirements, academic progress standards, and proof that the student has applied for all available federal and state financial aid. The bill requires students to have no other federal tuition benefits covering the same cost and to apply for VA benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The state will reimburse public colleges for waived tuition costs.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1850: Authorizes school nurses to administer opioid antidotes to overdose victims on school property, with immunity from civil, criminal, and professional liability, pursuant to "Overdose Prevention Act."

This bill (S 1850) allows school nurses in New Jersey public and private schools to administer opioid antidotes (like naloxone) to students or others experiencing an opioid overdose on school property. It directly affects school nurses and students by enabling immediate emergency response during overdose incidents. The key provision grants school nurses immunity from civil, criminal, and professional liability for administering these antidotes, aligning with New Jersey’s existing "Overdose Prevention Act" framework. This change specifically targets opioid overdoses (e.g., from heroin or fentanyl) and removes legal barriers for school staff to act in life-threatening emergencies.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2907: Requires DOE to develop transition checklist for students with disabilities; requires DOE to maintain information on website concerning transition resources.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to create a standardized checklist for school districts to help students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) plan their transition from high school to post-secondary life. The checklist covers key areas like college, jobs, healthcare, legal independence, and community resources, and must be reviewed with students (starting at age 16) and parents twice yearly by IEP teams. Additionally, the Department must maintain up-to-date transition resource information on its website for students, families, and schools to access easily.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Special Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1360: Establishes gross income tax credit and corporation business tax credit for student loan payments.

This New Jersey bill (S 1360) creates tax credits for residents and employers who pay student loans used for higher education expenses. Qualified taxpayers (New Jersey residents with associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degrees in STEM fields who worked in the state) can claim a credit against their state income tax equal to a portion of their student loan payments, based on a federal benchmark. Employers can also claim a credit for paying employees’ eligible student loans (100% for full-time, 50% for part-time), with unused credits carried forward up to seven years. The bill specifically targets STEM graduates and aims to reduce student debt burden through state tax incentives.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Student Financial Aid

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2643: Concerns charter school enrollment, student placements, reporting, and athletics.

This New Jersey bill (S 2643) amends charter school laws to clarify enrollment rules, student placements, and reporting requirements. It requires charter schools to admit all students without discrimination (except for grade-level or program-specific limits), prioritize local students with random selection for oversubscribed seats, and establish procedures for non-resident enrollment. The bill also mandates charter schools to appoint student placement liaisons who track student transitions, conduct exit interviews for non-graduating students, and report exit data (like reasons for leaving) in annual reports. The bill was withdrawn after becoming law as P.L.2025, c.276.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Choice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2846: Establishes two-generational school readiness and workforce development pilot program for certain low-income households.

S 2846 establishes a five-year pilot program in New Jersey's Department of Education to support low-income households through integrated services for both parents/caregivers and children. The program will operate in municipalities with poverty rates at least twice the statewide average, providing bundled services like early learning, adult education, job training, childcare, housing assistance, and health services - all coordinated at a single location. It requires a long-term plan for statewide expansion, partnerships with philanthropic organizations, and a workforce liaison to align services with employer needs. An interagency working group will oversee implementation and report on outcomes - including family economic stability, school readiness, and workforce success - within four years.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Property Development Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2452: "Safer Students Act"; requires school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, contracted service providers, and institutions of higher education to review employment history of prospective employee for allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct.

S 2452, the "Safer Students Act," requires school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools, contracted service providers, and colleges to review employment histories of prospective employees for allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct. Specifically, it mandates that applicants provide a list of employers from the past 20 years (including those involving child contact) and authorize background checks, while schools must verify these histories using the Department of Human Services database and contact prior employers directly. The law also requires employers to report new hires to the state within 20 days (or 15 days electronically) for inclusion in the verification system. This bill is pending in the Senate Education Committee as of its January 13, 2026, introduction.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics School Safety

All education bills