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Bill > A6244
NJ A6244
NJ A6244Establishes "Next Gen STEM Support Act" to provide financial assistance for innovative STEM programs.
summary
Introduced
12/11/2025
12/11/2025
In Committee
12/11/2025
12/11/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill directs the Commissioner of Education to establish the "Next Gen STEM Support Act" within one year of the bill's effective date. Under the program, the commissioner is to provide grant funds to public schools to ensure the growth and development of STEM coursework, resources, and extracurricular activities. A grant awarded through the program is to be used to support public schools in: (1) providing STEM coursework; (2) attaining STEM resources necessary to support students engaged in STEM coursework and extracurricular activities; (3) encouraging student participation in STEM coursework and extracurricular activities; and (4) any other activities the commissioner deems necessary. The bill limits the amount of grant funds a public school may allocate for professional training for STEM educators to no more than one-third of the total grant received by the public school. A public school that wishes to participate in the grant program is required to submit an application to the commissioner in a manner and form determined by the commissioner. The application is to include certain listed information. The bill directs the commissioner to develop criteria for the evaluation of grant applications and to allocate, based upon the criteria and within the limit of available appropriations, to each selected public school a grant in an amount as determined by the commissioner. The bill limits the total amount of grant funds to be distributed pursuant to the bill to not more than $100,000 in any one fiscal year. To the maximum extent practicable, the commissioner is to select a cross-section of public schools from the northern, central, and southern regions of the State and a cross-section of public schools from urban, suburban, and rural areas. Under the bill, each public school that receives a grant is to annually submit a report to the commissioner detailing the use of grant funds and the impact of the grant funds on students, STEM coursework, and STEM resources.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the "Next Gen STEM Support Act" to provide financial assistance for innovative science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs in public schools. The bill directs the Commissioner of Education to create a grant program within one year, offering funding to public schools to support STEM coursework, resources, and extracurricular activities. Schools must submit detailed applications describing their current STEM offerings, student enrollment, and specific resource needs, and the commissioner will evaluate these applications to select recipients. The grant can be used for purchasing laboratory equipment, computer technology, robotic materials, expanding STEM activities, and professional training for educators, with a limitation that no more than one-third of the grant can be used for teacher training. To ensure geographic diversity, the commissioner will aim to select schools from different regions (northern, central, and southern) and areas (urban, suburban, and rural). Each grant recipient must submit an annual report detailing how the funds were used and their impact on students and STEM education. The total amount of grants distributed is capped at $100,000 per fiscal year, with the goal of helping public schools provide more robust and engaging STEM learning opportunities for students.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 12/11/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A6244 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A6500/6244_I1.HTM |
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