Bill Text: NJ S3186 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Makes supplemental appropriation of $9 million from General Fund to DOE to support Engaged Learning Strategies - STEM Curriculum Program in certain school districts.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-05-09 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee [S3186 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-S3186-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator ANDREW ZWICKER
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Makes supplemental appropriation of $9 million from General Fund to DOE to support Engaged Learning Strategies - STEM Curriculum Program in certain school districts.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Supplement to the annual appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, P.L.2024, c.xx.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. In addition to the amounts appropriated under P.L.2024, c.xx, the annual appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, there is appropriated from the General Fund the following amount for the purpose specified:
34 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
30 Educational, Cultural, and Intellectual Development
34 Educational Support Services
GRANTS-IN-AID
30-5063 Standards, Assessments and Curriculum ............ $9,000,000
Total Grants-in-Aid appropriation,
Educational Support Services........................... $9,000,000
Grants-in-Aid):
30 Engaged Learning Strategies - STEM Curriculum Program ($9,000,000)
The amount hereinabove appropriated for the Engaged Learning Strategies - STEM Curriculum Program shall be used to establish a three-year pilot program to promote project-based learning in science, technology, engineering, and math for at-risk students in grades six through eight through a contract with Engaged Learning Strategies. Nine school districts shall be selected for inclusion in the program, four of which may include the following districts: Camden City School District; Newark City School District; Paterson City School District; and Trenton City School District. The amounts appropriated shall support project-based science, technology, engineering, and math learning opportunities, defined as hands-on courses that offer students the opportunity to engage in the design, development, and implementation of projects that are applicable to real-world learning experiences. The amounts appropriated may be utilized for curriculum development, training of teaching staff members, and classroom supplies and equipment. At the conclusion of the pilot program, the commissioner shall submit a report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L. 1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), the Legislature. The report shall contain information on the implementation of the pilot program and shall include the commissioner's recommendation on the feasibility of implementing the program on a Statewide basis.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill provides a supplemental appropriation of $9 million to Engaged Learning Strategies - STEM Curriculum Program in certain school districts.
The appropriation is to establish a three-year pilot program to promote project-based learning in science, technology, engineering, and math for at-risk students in grades six through eight in nine school districts through a contract with Engaged Learning Strategies. The bill defines project-based STEM learning opportunities as hands on courses that offer students the opportunity to engage in the design, development, and implementation of projects that are applicable to real-world learning experiences.
The supplemental appropriation stipulates that nine school districts are to be selected for inclusion in the program, four of which may be the following districts: four school districts are to be included in the program: Camden City School District; Newark City School District; Paterson City School District; and Trenton City School District. The appropriation may be used for curriculum development, training of teaching staff members, and classroom supplies and equipment.
Additionally, at the conclusion of the pilot program, the commissioner is to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature. The report is to contain information on the implementation of the pilot program and the commissioner's recommendation on the feasibility of implementing the program on a Statewide basis.
