Bill > A2773

Introduced Session

This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to develop and administer a four-year Performing Arts Education Improvement Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to award grants to school districts to bolster educational programming and academic enrichment opportunities in the performing arts. The commissioner is required to consult with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts regarding the design and administration of the grant program. Pursuant to the bill, a school district that wants to apply for a grant is required to submit an application, which is to include certain information related to the current state of performing arts education in the district and details on how the district plans to use grant funds to enhance performing arts educational programming. In addition, an applicant school district is required to demonstrate in its application that a majority of the schools in the district have high concentrations of multilingual learners, students in resource family care, students from rural areas, or at-risk students. The bill requires the commissioner to select 10 school districts to receive grants under the grant program and determine the amount of each grant award. The commissioner may award multi-year grants. A school district selected for a grant may use the grant proceeds for purposes including the: purchase of performing arts-related materials, equipment, and supplies; provision of professional development opportunities and other training to performing arts teachers currently employed by the school district; and development of programs to assist students interested in the performing arts in navigating the transition from elementary school, middle school, and high school, as well as to potential higher education opportunities or careers in the performing arts; and the development of tutoring and extracurricular programs in the performing arts. Finally, the bill requires school districts receiving grants to annually report certain program participation information to the commissioner. At the conclusion of the four-year grant program, the commissioner is to provide a report to the Governor and the Legislature that includes a summary of the information submitted to the commissioner by each participating school district. This report is also to include the commissioner's recommendation on the advisability of the program's continuation and expansion to additional school districts in the State.

AI Summary

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Andrea Katz (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document