Directs Commissioner of Education to establish three-year pilot program to increase reading levels of certain students; appropriates $1 million.
To participate in the pilot program, school districts must submit applications that outline the number of elementary schools, enrollment statistics for second graders, and details regarding summer school instruction over the previous three years. The Commissioner will select two school districts from each of the state’s northern, central, and southern regions, ensuring a diverse representation of urban, suburban, and rural districts. A significant outcome of this bill is intended to be the enhancement of reading proficiency, which is essential for academic success and future learning opportunities.
Senate Bill 2617 directs the Commissioner of Education in New Jersey to establish a three-year pilot program aimed at increasing reading levels among students who are not reading at grade level by the end of second grade. The bill was introduced in the 221st Legislature on February 8, 2024, and includes an appropriation of $1 million from the General Fund to support the program's implementation. The goal of the pilot program is to ensure that participating students are reading at grade level before they advance to third grade, thereby addressing early literacy issues among young learners.
At the conclusion of the three-year pilot, the Commissioner is required to submit an evaluation report to the Governor and the Legislature. This report will assess the pilot's effectiveness and recommend whether the program should be implemented statewide. While the bill is broadly supportive of enhancing educational opportunities, potential concerns may arise regarding the equitable distribution of resources across different school districts and how the pilot's effectiveness might influence future educational policies and funding allocations.