Sponsored by:
Assemblyman PATRICK J. DIEGNAN, JR.
District 18 (Middlesex)
Assemblywoman MILA M. JASEY
District 27 (Essex and Morris)
Assemblyman BENJIE E. WIMBERLY
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman JOHN F. MCKEON
District 27 (Essex and Morris)
Assemblyman JOSEPH A. LAGANA
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
Senator NIA H. GILL
District 34 (Essex and Passaic)
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen Vainieri Huttle, Muoio, Mosquera, Caride, Assemblymen Eustace, Mazzeo, Senators Greenstein, Madden and Pou
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits withholding of State school aid based on student participation rate on State assessments.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the withholding of State school aid and supplementing chapter 55 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.18A:55-2, or any other law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, the commissioner shall not direct the State treasurer to withhold funds payable by the State to a school district based on the participation rate on any State assessment of the school district’s students.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill prohibits the Commissioner of Education from withholding State school aid from a school district based on the participation rate of its students on the State assessments. Recent media articles indicate that the commissioner has suggested the possibility of withholding State aid if a significant share of students in a district do not take an assessment. This bill would prevent districts from being penalized for matters beyond their control.