SENATE, No. 1106

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Senator NILSA I. CRUZ-PEREZ

District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)

SYNOPSIS

     Establishes "STEM Curriculum Grant Program" for certain school districts; makes appropriation.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Senate Education Committee with technical review.

An Act establishing the “STEM Curriculum Grant Program” and supplementing chapter 6 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

     1.    As used in this act, “at-risk pupils” means those resident pupils from households with a household income at or below the most recent federal poverty guidelines available on October 15 of the prebudget year multiplied by 1.85.

     2.    a. There is established in the Department of Education the “STEM Curriculum Grant Program.” The program shall promote project-based learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for at-risk pupils in grades six through eight.  The Commissioner of Education shall partner with the nonprofit organization known as Engaged Learning Strategies to administer the program.

     b.    The Commissioner of Education shall select a minimum of two school districts teaching grades six through eight that offer existing STEM curriculum programs, which include the elements required in subsection c. of this section. The commissioner may select additional school districts subject to available funding. Each selected school district shall support at least 60 at-risk pupils in the program.

     c.     In implementing the program, a school district that receives a grant shall:

     (1) provide access to hands-on courses that offer students the opportunity to engage in the design, development, and implementation of projects applicable to real-world learning experiences;

     (2)   include an accelerated option for students who are at least a year behind grade level, which option allows students to complete two grade levels in a single year; and

     (3)   offer curriculum development, professional development training of staff members, and classroom supplies and equipment.

     d.    Grant funds may be used by a selected school district to continue or expand its existing STEM curriculum programs, including developing and implementing curriculum, providing professional development opportunities, and purchasing furniture and supplies necessary to meet the requirements of the programs.

     e.     The Legislature shall annually appropriate such sums as are necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

     3.    There is appropriated the sum of $2,250,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Education, for distribution to
Engaged Learning Strategies for the purposes of implementing the provisions of this act.

     4.    This act shall take effect immediately.