The Fairness in Special Education Funding for Student Success Act seeks to improve funding and support for special education services in New Jersey, particularly for students with disabilities requiring high needs placements. The bill establishes the Office of High Needs Placement Funding within the Department of Education, which will manage contracts with service providers and ensure timely payments for services. A High Needs Placement Committee will also be created to oversee service quality and effectiveness, ensuring that students are educated in the least restrictive environment. The legislation defines "final contract cost" and "projected contract cost" for special education services, setting a threshold for high needs placements at projected costs exceeding $55,000, and outlines how deductions from State aid for school districts will be calculated based on these costs.

Additionally, the bill proposes a new school funding formula that addresses previous deficiencies and aligns with the Supreme Court's rulings on equitable education funding. It removes provisions that incentivized keeping classified students in neighborhood schools and eliminates specific criteria for extraordinary special education aid, instead adopting a census model for funding based on statewide average costs. The legislation also aims to expand high-quality preschool programs for low-income children and includes measures for tailored security in schools. Overall, the bill focuses on creating a predictable and equitable funding system that meets the needs of all students, particularly those at risk, while ensuring accountability and quality in special education services.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:7F-44, 18A:7F-46, 18A:7F-55, 46:15-7.1