Requires Commissioner of Education to establish matching grant program for certain school districts and schools using federal funds to increase instructional time and accelerate learning.
Under this bill, eligible educational institutions can apply for grants funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act's Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. A key stipulation is that qualifying schools must have shown an increase in the percentage of students who did not meet or partially met grade-level expectations comparing current results to those from the 2018-2019 academic year. The total allocated for these grants is capped at $200 million, reflecting a significant investment towards addressing educational deficits exacerbated by the pandemic.
Senate Bill S4027, titled 'An Act concerning learning loss in school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects', mandates the establishment of a matching grant program by the Commissioner of Education for participating school districts and associated educational entities. The primary goal of this grant program is to utilize federal funding to enhance instructional time and advance student learning through high-quality, evidence-based programs. The legislation was introduced in the New Jersey Senate on June 20, 2023, and seeks to mitigate learning loss due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students' academic performance.
While supporters advocate for the bill as a necessary response to engage students and improve academic outcomes after significant disruptions, there are concerns regarding the eligibility criteria and the potential effectiveness of the interventions. Critics may argue that the focus on matching funds could favor larger districts with more resources to compete for the grants. Additionally, the requirement for districts to first identify schools with rising percentages of underperforming students may lead to disparities in funding allocation, potentially neglecting institutions that may also need support but do not meet the specific thresholds outlined in the legislation.