Establishes matching grant program in DOE for school districts to implement high-impact tutoring programs addressing learning loss due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The bill mandates that for a school district to be eligible to receive grant funding, they must submit a comprehensive plan that details the implementation of their proposed tutoring program. This ensures that tutoring is conducted in small groups of four or fewer students, with the same tutor throughout the academic year, and supplemented to existing core instruction. Additionally, it requires districts to document their evaluation methods for measuring student progress, thereby incentivizing accountability and effectiveness in educational interventions.
Assembly Bill A4843 establishes the High-Impact Tutoring Matching Grant Program under the New Jersey Department of Education. This program is designed to provide financial support in the form of matching grants to school districts for the implementation of high-quality tutoring initiatives aimed at addressing learning deficits that have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By focusing on research-based high-impact tutoring strategies, the bill seeks to improve academic outcomes for students who have experienced significant disruptions to their education during the pandemic.
While proponents of A4843 argue that it addresses a critical need for recovery in student learning and fosters educational improvements post-pandemic, there are potential points of contention. Critics may raise concerns regarding the reliance on state grants, which could vary based on future budget allocations, and whether all school districts have the capacity and resources to effectively implement such programs. Furthermore, the requirement for districts to match grant funds with 25% of the grant amount could pose challenges, especially for underfunded districts.