The $1.1 trillion budget deal that Congress approved last week would delay the unpopular Cadillac tax for two years and put a repeal in reach of the congressional leaders and business groups who oppose […]
Legislation Makes Its Way To Gov’s Desk
A number of varied bills impacting students, schools and school leaders made it to the Governor’s desk December 17. Pension Notification Senate bill, S-2432 (Madden), requires notification of a member or retiree of a […]
Senate President Proposes Pre-K Plan As Part Of NJ ‘Investment Plan’
Senate President Stephen Sweeney announced a new plan to invest in early education earlier this week as part of a larger New Jersey ‘Investment Plan.’ The proposal would include more than $165 million over […]
NJ Grad Rate Continues to Excel at 88.6 Percent, As Nationally Number Rises to 82 Percent
High school students in the United States are graduating at the highest rate since 2011, and New Jersey ranks among the top states for graduating its students, according to new data. The U.S. Department […]
$1.2 Billion Increase In Ed Spending In Congressional Budget Deal
Title I aid for the nation’s neediest students would get a $500 million boost up to approximately $14.9 billion, while state grants under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act would rise by $415 million […]
ESSA Approved by President Replacing NCLB as ESEA Act – What now?
President Barack Obama signed the newest version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act—dubbed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)— December 10. The new law seeks to halt heavy federal involvement in public schools […]
Senate Moves Forward With Pension Constitutional Amendment, As Assembly Begins Process of Review
The Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee approved a resolution, SCR-184, December 10, that would seeks to amend New Jersey’s Constitution to require quarterly pension payments, and get the Legislature back on track to paying […]
Senate Ed Hears Bevy of Bills In Lame Duck Push
The Senate Education Committee moved a host of bills at its December 14 meeting, in the continued lame duck push. Among the measures, legislation to raise the compulsory school attendance age from 16 to […]
Assembly Ed Committee Moves PARCC Reporting, Chronic Absenteeism, & RTI Bills Forward
The Assembly Education Committee December 14 moved several measures forward including a bill, A-4562 / S-2844 (Diegnan / Gill / Turner), that would require schools to report PARCC refusal, a measure A-4328 (Diegnan), that […]
Senate Passes Bill Establishing Special Education Ombudsman
The state Senate on Monday approved a bill, S451 (Ruiz/Allen) establishing the Office of the Special Education Ombudsman in the Department of Education. The measure passed, 33-0. The ombudsman would provide parents, students and […]