Establishes "STEM Curriculum Grant Program" for certain school districts; makes appropriation.

A4051

ASSEMBLY, No. 4051

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman� WILLIAM W. SPEARMAN

District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)

Assemblyman� ERIK K. SIMONSEN

District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblymen McClellan and Scharfenberger

SYNOPSIS

���� Establishes �STEM Curriculum Grant Program� for
certain school districts; makes appropriation.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act

establishing the �STEM Curriculum Grant Program�
and supplementing chapter 6 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1. �� As used in this act,
�at-risk pupils� means those resident pupils from households with a household
income at or below the most recent federal poverty guidelines available on
October 15 of the prebudget year multiplied by 1.85.

���� 2. �� a. There is established
in the Department of Education the �STEM Curriculum Grant Program.� The program
shall promote project-based learning in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) for at-risk pupils in grades six through eight.� The Commissioner
of Education shall partner with the nonprofit organization known as Engaged
Learning Strategies to administer the program.

���� b. �� The Commissioner of
Education shall select a minimum of two school districts teaching grades six
through eight that offer existing STEM curriculum programs, which include the
elements required in subsection c. of this section. The commissioner may select
additional school districts subject to available funding. Each selected school
district shall support at least 60 at-risk pupils in the program.

���� c. �� In implementing the
program, a school district that receives a grant shall:

���� (1) provide access to hands-on
courses that offer students the opportunity to engage in the design,
development, and implementation of projects applicable to real-world learning
experiences;

���� (2) include an accelerated
option for students who are at least a year behind grade level, which option
allows students to complete two grade levels in a single year; and

���� (3) offer curriculum
development, professional development training of staff members, and classroom
supplies and equipment.

���� d.��� Grant funds may be used
by a selected school district to continue or expand its existing STEM
curriculum programs, including developing and implementing curriculum,
providing professional development opportunities, and purchasing furniture and
supplies necessary to meet the requirements of the programs.

���� e.���� The Legislature shall
annually appropriate such sums as are necessary to implement the provisions of
this act.

���� 3.��� There is appropriated
the sum of $2,250,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Education, for
distribution to Engaged Learning Strategies for the purposes of implementing
the provisions of this act.

���� 4.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill establishes the
�STEM Curriculum Grant Program� in the Department of Education to promote
project-based learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM) for at-risk students in grades six through eight. The Commissioner of Education
is required to select a minimum of two school districts with existing STEM
curricular programs that meet certain defined requirements. An eligible program
is required under the bill to: provide hands-on courses that offer students the
opportunity to engage in the design, development, and implementation of
projects applicable to real-world learning experiences; include an accelerated
learning option for students at least one grade level behind that will allow
them to complete two grade levels in a single year; offer curriculum
development, professional development training of staff members, and classroom
supplies and equipment.

���� The bill appropriates $2.25
million to the Department of Education for the program. The department would
partner with a nonprofit known as Engaged Learning Strategies to administer the
program.

���� It is the intent of the
sponsor that the program builds off the success of existing programs. One
example is a school district with an accelerated program that allows students
to complete both seventh and eighth grades in a single year. It provides a rigorous
yet supportive environment where students not only advance a full grade level
but also build the academic and personal skills they need to transition into
high school with confidence.� Over the past two years, students have had
remarkable results.� The students who completed the program in the 2023-2024
school year are now thriving as 10th graders, while those who participated in
the 2024-2025 school year are currently in ninth grade.� A different district
began the program in the 2024-2025 school year with 65 students with 55 of
those students graduating to ninth grade.� For the 2025-2026 school year, 67
students are participating.