New Jersey Assembly Bill A964

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

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

Caption

Defines a day in session for purposes of a school district's receipt of State school aid.

Impact

The passing of A964 will impact how school districts across New Jersey report operational days and subsequently, how they qualify for State funding. The amendment seeks to align school operational definitions with educational standards that emphasize both the amount of instructional time and the nature of the educational engagement within that time frame. Schools that do not meet this new requirement risk losing a portion of their State aid, which could place financial constraints on those already struggling to meet existing educational mandates.

Summary

Assembly Bill A964, introduced in the New Jersey Legislature, aims to amend the existing law governing the receipt of State school aid. Specifically, the bill redefines what constitutes a 'day in session' for schools, asserting that a day must be a minimum of six hours in length where students receive instructional guidance from a teacher. However, this six-hour rule is exempt for schools that enroll only kindergarten students, recognizing the unique needs of early childhood education.

Contention

Some legislators may raise concerns over this bill, particularly regarding the implications for smaller or underfunded school districts that may struggle to meet the six-hour requirement. The differing stipulations for kindergartens and higher grades might also provoke debate, with some advocating for a more unified approach to session length across all educational levels to ensure equity in educational resource distribution. Additionally, some education advocates may argue that while quality instructional time is important, imposing strict time requirements may not consider the varying needs and circumstances of different districts.