New Jersey A 4051: Exempts public institutions of higher education from motor vehicle registration fee.

Bill Text

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 s