Turner Introduces Pilot Bill to Extend School Day/Year to Recover Learning post-COVID

Trenton – In response to ongoing concerns about learning loss that is now evidenced by unprecedented declines in math and reading on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) exam, Senator Shirley K. Turner introduced legislation to establish a three-year pilot program in the Department of Education to support school district programs to increase the length of school day or school year.

“The NAEP confirms what we have all suspected – that our students’ learning suffered greatly from being out of the classroom for more than one year during the pandemic. The students in low-income, minority school districts who could least afford to lose a year of learning have fallen even further behind and suffered the most academic loss,” said Senator Turner (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). “New Jersey’s math and reading rates declined at a greater rate than other states. The futures of our students are at serious risk, as is the long-term impact on higher education, our labor market, and society as a whole. We need to act now to ensure that the supports are in place to allow for learning recovery. The extra instruction time that an extended school day or school year can provide to the students who need the most academic support will help them to regain academic ground and increase their chances of remaining in school and graduating.”

The bill, S-3173, would direct the Commissioner of Education to appropriate funds on a competitive basis to up to 20 participating schools. School districts that serve students demonstrating a high level of need for academic support will receive priority.

Under the bill, a school district selected for participation in the pilot program would be granted up to $1 million annually throughout the duration of the pilot program. A school district selected by the commissioner would utilize the funds for any costs associated with the implementation of a program to increase the length of the school day or school year. New Jersey received $6.2 billion dollars in American Rescue Plan funds and $2.76 billion was to be used by individual school districts to address learning loss.