NJ S1559

Establishes a three-year pilot program in the Department of Education to provide competitive grants supporting school districts that extend the school day or school year, with priority given to districts with high academic need based on assessment results, graduation rates, and dropout rates

Limits participation to 20 school districts: 5 each from southern, central, and northern New Jersey, plus 5 additional districts selected based on highest academic need

Caps grants at $1,000,000 annually per district, with funds usable for increased staff pay (subject to collective bargaining agreements), additional student transportation, and extended support services

Requires districts to demonstrate majority teaching staff support for the extended learning plan and document how they have used federal COVID-19 relief funds for learning recovery

Mandates annual reporting by districts on student participation and attendance, and requires the Commissioner to submit a final evaluation report to the Governor and Legislature 180 days before the pilot concludes