New Jersey Assembly Bill A103

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Eliminates expansion of preschool education programs in "School Funding Reform Act of 2008."

Impact

The passage of AB A103 will have notable implications for each affected school district's financial resources and program availability. It ensures that districts still adhering to earlier preschool mandates qualify for funding aid based on per pupil amounts established by SFRA. Meanwhile, all other districts will see their preschool education aid adjusted based on historical funding levels, which may not provide the necessary support to serve their local populations. This potential misalignment raises concerns regarding the equity and accessibility of early childhood education across the state, particularly for low-income households seeking preschool options.

Summary

Assembly Bill A103 amends the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 (SFRA) by eliminating the mandatory expansion of preschool education programs for most public school districts in New Jersey. Under the original SFRA, school districts classified in District Factor Groups A and B were required to provide full-day preschool education access to all three- and four-year-old children, alongside additional mandates for certain at-risk populations. A103 modifies these requirements significantly, maintaining them only for the original 31 Abbott school districts and five others that began preschool expansion in the 2008-2009 school year. This results in a de facto reduction in the number of districts obligated to expand their preschool offerings.

Contention

Opponents of A103 express concern that the elimination of required preschool program expansion undermines efforts to provide equitable educational opportunities for at-risk children. Advocacy groups fear that without mandated support, districts may prioritize other budget items over investing in early childhood education, exacerbating existing educational disparities. However, proponents argue for local control, suggesting that districts should have the autonomy to decide their educational programming based on their unique community needs without state-imposed requirements. The debate surrounding this bill highlights ongoing tensions between state policy, local governance, and the preemptive measures for educational equity.