Education

Parents could still opt their child out of anonymous surveys about substance use and sexual behavior, but their active permission may no longer be needed.

The latest round of federal COVID recovery funds for schools is the largest yet. It can cover spending through September 2024.

In anticipation of a teacher shortage, the Senate endorses a bill allowing retired teachers to go back to work for two years while collecting their pension.

An earlier bill had parents decide if kids should stay back due to the pandemic. Now there would be a consultation, with superintendents making final call.

Rutgers' National Institute for Early Education Research says states need to plan now for students who'll return to class after skipping a year of preschool.

Frequent topics at a Senate hearing on the Department of Education budget included school reopenings, spending of federal aid and the delayed assessments.

Enrollment decline was sharpest in pre-K and kindergarten, as families opted against remote learning or starting amid the COVID pandemic.

Statewide graduation rates are steady. Dropout rates are down. Absenteeism data is missing, as a federal waiver said it didn't have to be collected.

New Jersey's school construction program has money to complete 11 existing projects by 2025, but nothing more. Reauthorization talks seem to have stalled.

Two National Education publications rank New Jersey #1 in Public Education in the country but many believe there is still room for improvement and that belief has sparked legislation at the Statehouse.