Bill > A331

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the High-Impact Tutoring Matching Grant Program in the Department of Education. Under the program, school districts will receive grants for the implementation of high-impact tutoring programs to address student learning loss or unfinished learning resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. To be eligible for consideration for a grant, a school district is required to submit a plan to the Commissioner of Education incorporating the following elements of a high-impact tutoring program: · The tutoring is provided in groups of four or fewer students; · The tutoring is provided by the same person to the group of students throughout the school year;· The tutoring is provided a minimum of three times per week;· The tutoring is provided during the school day, not as a before school or afterschool program, and is supplemental to core academic instruction and not a replacement for that instruction;· The tutoring is provided by high-quality, trained tutors;· The tutors use a high-quality curriculum that is aligned with academic standards; and· The tutoring is data-driven, with interim assessments to monitor student progress. In its application, the school district is also required to include: the projected cost of implementing the program and the amount of grant funding being sought; its method for identifying students for participation in the program and the number of students expected to be served; the method for measuring student academic progress and other program outcomes; whether the school district intends to create its own program or partner with existing tutoring providers for implementation or tutor capacity and training; which academic subjects will be the focus of the program; and the method for recruiting and providing support for tutors. The commissioner will establish selection criteria for the awarding of the grants. A school district receiving a grand under the program will be required to provide district matching funds in an amount equal to 25 percent of the grant amount. To the extent permitted under federal law, the Department of Education will use federal funds available under the federal "American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021," Pub.L.117-2, or other available federal assistance to fund the grant program. The commissioner is required to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature on the effectiveness of the grant program in addressing learning loss and unfinished learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic and any recommendations concerning continuing or expanding the program.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Michele Matsikoudis (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document