New Jersey Assembly Bill A278

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Establishes grant program for school districts to develop in-district and collaborative special education programs and services to reduce need to place classified students out-of-district.

Impact

The bill mandates that the Commissioner of Education implement a plan for collecting data from participating school districts, which will include metrics on program effectiveness and cost-savings. The data collected will help evaluate the grant program's success in reducing the reliance on out-of-district placements for classified students. After three years, a report must be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature reviewing the program's efficacy, influencing future decisions regarding its continuation and potential expansion to more districts.

Summary

Bill A278 establishes a grant program under the New Jersey Department of Education aimed at helping school districts develop in-district special education programs. The legislation's primary objective is to provide startup funding that would enable these districts to create high-quality programs and services for classified students. By focusing on in-district solutions, the bill seeks to minimize the number of students placed out-of-district and reduce the associated costs for school districts. This initiative can encourage collaboration among districts, allowing them to combine resources for improved educational offerings.

Contention

Some discussions around A278 may center on the allocation of funds and the criteria for selecting which districts receive grants. While supporters argue that the program addresses critical needs in special education, opponents may express concerns about the feasibility of sustaining these programs once grant funding ends. Additionally, the parameters for program implementation, including how improvements will be measured and reported, could be areas of contention. Legislators will need to ensure that appropriate safeguards and oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure the program's goals are met effectively.