New Jersey State Board of Education Acts on Numerous Items at February Meeting

At its February meeting, the New Jersey State Board of Education heard updates and acted on the following:

• Appointment of Kevin Dehmer as Assistant Commissioner: The State Board appointed Kevin Dehmer as an assistant commissioner for the Division of Administrative Services, a prerequisite to him becoming acting commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education on Feb. 12, 2024.
• Resolution in honor of Career and Technical Education Month in New Jersey: The State Board recognized February as Career and Technical Education Month. In its resolution, it noted that there are over 137,608 secondary and postsecondary students in New Jersey pursuing a range of career pathways. The board also recognized that career and technical education programs incorporate rigorous academic core subjects coupled with high-level technical curriculum to deliver an opportunity for students to earn college credit, industry-valued credentials and work-based learning to be college and career ready. The NJDOE continues to implement a variety of career and technical education initiatives, including the Building Capacity for Career Pathways initiative and the Middle Grades Career Awareness and Exploration Program. Learn more in this detailed presentation.
• New Jersey’s career and technical education landscape: The State Board also heard a presentation on the career and technical education landscape in New Jersey. Career and technical education is designed to provide equitable access to a high-quality experience that provides academic and career preparation aligned with economic opportunities. CTE also provides students with innovative tools to be productive in a global society. CTE programs for 77,000 students are delivered at both comprehensive and vocational high schools, integrating academics with relevant career coursework, which leads to the achievement of degrees and industry credentials. The State Board also heard from students and an administrator from the Hunterdon County Vocational School District concerning its CTE programs and facilities. The “Career and Technical Education Scholar Awards” were also highlighted. These awards, established through a 2023 law, recognize high-achieving CTE students. Learn more about participating.
• Teacher recruitment and retention: The State Board heard an update on the various efforts in which the NJDOE is seeking to help school districts recruit and retain teaching staff. These efforts include a pilot program creating a Limited Certificate of Eligibility/Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing that revises some of the prerequisites for obtaining teacher certification, elimination of the EdTPA, participation in a Interstate Reciprocity Pilot Program, the creation of a temporary certificate for military spouses with an application fee waiver, modifying the minimum number of credits needed for substitute certification and other efforts to increase the number of teachers. NJDOE staff also highlighted various efforts concerning teacher retention programs.
• Student residency: The State Board approved the publication of a proposal concerning the regulations pertaining to student residency. These rules establish procedures for districts to determine students’ eligibility to attend a particular school district free of charge based on the student’s residency. The rules establish the process for charging tuition for students who are ineligible for free attendance, and, in accordance with L.2023, c.61, removes the language at N.J.A.C. 6A:22-2.2 that allows school districts to admit nonresident students free of charge. The proposal also repeals N.J.A.C. 6A:22-3.2(h)8, which states that a district can admit nonresident students without the payment of tuition. The rules include exceptions for nonresident students to attend a school district free of charge under limited circumstances. The new rules would apply only to parent-paid tuition.
• Interdistrict public school choice: The State Board continued its discussions on updates to the regulations concerning the interdistrict public school choice program. The choice program was created to increase educational opportunities for students and their families by providing students with public school options outside of their district of residence and giving parents the power to select a school district or program that best serves their child’s individual needs. The choice program enables approved choice districts to enroll kindergarten through grade 12 students who do not reside within their districts to attend without cost to their parents.
• Fiscal accountability: The State Board continued its discussion of changes to the fiscal accountability This proposal contains the fiscal accountability rules for school districts, charter schools, renaissance schools and approved private schools for students with disabilities to ensure that public funds for education are spent responsibly. These proposed regulations update terminology, titles and gendered language; replace or remove outdated references to statute and code; and implement enacted legislation. The proposal also clarifies rules by adding statutory references, amending language, or recodifying rules to a more appropriate location. Subchapters 16 through 22 are proposed for readoption as State Board of Education rules consistent with the original authority that established the regulations. The commissioner also will be proposing a simultaneous rulemaking for the readoption of subchapters 1 through 15.