NJ S1767

Eliminates census-based funding for special education aid in New Jersey, replacing the formula that multiplied resident enrollment by the State average classification rate with calculations based on actual counts of special education students in each district.

Removes references to "State average classification rate" (SEACR and SACR) from the school funding formula and replaces them with direct counts of general special education services pupils (SEENR) and speech-only pupils (SPEONLY).

Deletes the legislative finding that a census model based on Statewide average excess costs was appropriate for mitigating variability in special education costs across districts.

Amends P.L.1996, c.138 and P.L.2007, c.260, which govern New Jersey's school funding law, requiring the commissioner to notify districts of excess costs for special education services without reference to State average classification rates.

Maintains the existing framework for calculating adequacy budgets, at-risk pupil costs, bilingual pupil costs, and extraordinary special education aid thresholds while changing only how special education enrollment is counted.