ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5007

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 24, 2021

      The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5007 with committee amendments.

      As amended, this bill directs the Department of Education (DOE) to compile a list of recommended professional development programs for teachers and school leaders on the topic of virtual and remote instruction.  The DOE will make the list available on its Internet website within 90 days of enactment of this bill.

      Under the bill, school districts will also be required to ensure that the districts’ teachers and school leaders complete a professional development program on the topic of virtual and remote instruction no later than September 1, 2021. 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

· specify that the list of professional development programs developed by the Department of Education for teachers and school leaders on the topic of virtual and remote instruction are recommendations for school districts;

· lengthen the period of time in which the list must be made available on the Department of Education’s website from 30 to 90 days after the bill’s effective date;

· delete the requirement that school districts select a professional development program on virtual and remote instruction from the list developed by the Department of Education within 60 days following publication of the list on the department’s website; and

· delete a provision of the bill requiring school districts to seek a waiver from the Department of Education to use a program that has not been included on the list of professional development programs compiled by the department.