NJ A5310

Replaces the census-based special education funding model (which used statewide average classification rates) with actual counts of special education students in each district, calculating aid based on the district's actual number of general special education and speech-only pupils

Caps annual State school aid reductions at 2% of a district's total operating budget and exempts certain high-tax, low-adequacy spending districts from aid reductions entirely, including SDA districts and non-SDA districts meeting specific tax rate and adequacy thresholds

Requires the Department of Education to publicly post detailed calculations for each category of State aid on its website within two days of the Governor's budget message, including explanations of variables used

Establishes an 11-member Special Education Funding Review Task Force to assess current special education aid effectiveness, examine tier-based funding models, and make recommendations within one year, with members from education associations, unions, and government appointees

Requires the Educational Adequacy Report to undergo a 30-day public comment period with hearings across the state, and allows the Commissioner to review any school funding element but prohibits decreasing any metric through such reviews