This bill proposes significant amendments to New Jersey's school funding law, particularly focusing on special education funding and the establishment of a Special Education Funding Review Task Force. Key changes include the deletion of references to the "State average classification rate" in the calculation of aid for special education services, aiming to streamline the funding process. The bill mandates the Department of Education to publicly disclose calculations for each category of aid payable to school districts, enhancing transparency. It also emphasizes the need for a more predictable and equitable distribution of state aid that reflects changes in enrollment and the specific needs of districts, particularly those with high concentrations of at-risk students.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new funding model for extraordinary special education aid, specifying that districts will receive State aid equal to 75 percent of costs exceeding $40,000 for public school programs or $55,000 for private school programs, contingent on demonstrating the necessity of intensive services in a pupil's Individualized Education Plan. It establishes protections against reductions in State aid for districts in municipalities with higher tax rates and ensures that no district experiences a decrease in State aid exceeding two percent of their pre-budget year total operating budget. The bill also requires regular updates to core curriculum standards and mandates the Commissioner of Education to issue an Educational Adequacy Report every three years, ensuring that all New Jersey students have access to a thorough and efficient education.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:7F-5, 18A:7F-44, 18A:7F-46, 18A:7F-51, 18A:7F-55, 18A:7F-68, 18A:7F-69