Bill > S500

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the four-year "New Jersey Early Innovation Inspiration School Grant Pilot Program" in the Department of Education. The purpose of the pilot program is to develop and cultivate interest in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields at an early age. The pilot program established under this bill will award grants to school districts that support non-traditional STEM teaching methods for students in grades kindergarten through 8, support the participation of students in nonprofit STEM competitions, promote innovation and broaden interest in careers in STEM fields, and encourage collaboration among students, engineers, and professional mentors. Under the bill, a school district may submit to the commissioner of education an application that includes a description of how the school district will establish STEM teaching programs that use a non-traditional STEM teaching method, identify and recruit partners and mentors to help implement these programs, and support teachers and participants. The application will also contain information on how the district will assess the impact of the STEM teaching programs. Under the pilot program, the commissioner will award a total of six one-time, up-front grants of up to $150,000 each. In awarding the grants, the commissioner will give priority to applications from districts that intend to target activities in a rural or urban school, a low-performing school, or a school or school district that serves low-income students. The districts will be permitted to use the grant funds for a period of up to four years. A school district that receives a grant is to use the funds to: promote STEM education and career activities; purchase supplies needed for participation in non-traditional STEM teaching programs; finance the expenses of student participation in regional and national nonprofit STEM competitions; and provide incentives and stipends for teachers involved in non-traditional STEM teaching methods outside of their regular teaching duties. The bill establishes the "Early Innovation Inspiration School Grant Fund" within the Department of Education to provide grants to school districts under the pilot program. A school district that receives a grant will provide district matching funds in an amount equal to 25% of the grant amount. In addition, the district must secure matching funds or in-kind contributions from corporate donors or other private sector donors in an amount equal to 25% of the grant amount.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Jim Beach (D)*,  Teresa Ruiz (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/12/2016)