[Second Reprint]
ASSEMBLY, No. 2455
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
218th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 3, 2020
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Senator STEVEN V. OROHO
District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Moen, Peterson, DiMaio, Conaway, Zwicker, Assemblywoman Carter, Assemblyman Stanley, Assemblywomen Jasey, Reynolds-Jackson, Assemblymen Calabrese, McKeon, Assemblywoman DiMaso, Senators Pou, Thompson, Bateman, Turner, Assemblymen Space, Wirths, Assemblywomen Murphy, McKnight, Assemblyman Houghtaling, Assemblywomen Downey and Lopez
SYNOPSIS
Establishes pilot program in DOE to support robotics programs in school districts.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As amended on November 8, 2021 by the General Assembly pursuant to the Governor's recommendations.
An Act establishing a robotics competition pilot program in the Department of Education.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Commissioner of Education shall establish a three-year pilot program that provides grant funding to 1encourage and support1 school districts to 1establish 2[For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) nonprofit organization’s]2 robotics programs and1 participate in 2[1a1 FIRST Robotics]2 1[Competitions] 2[Competition1] robotics competitions2. The purpose of the pilot program shall be to:
(1) increase opportunities for students to participate in 2[1a1 FIRST Robotics]2 2[1[Competitions] Competition1] robotics competitions2;
(2) motivate students to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and
(3) improve students’ knowledge in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
b. 2(1) The Commissioner of Education shall identify one or more eligible nonprofit organizations to assist school districts selected to participate in the pilot program in developing robotics programs and participating in robotics competitions. The commissioner shall compile a list of eligible nonprofit organizations available to partner with school districts and incorporate the contents of the list into the application created pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection. Nonprofit organizations included on the list shall offer technical assistance to participating schools, including mentor-based assistance in establishing a robotics program to develop science, technology, engineering, and mathematical skills for students. A school district that applies to participate in the pilot program shall partner with a nonprofit organization on the list.
(2)2 A school district that wants to participate in the pilot program shall submit an application to the commissioner in such form as required by the commissioner. The school district shall select no more than one school serving students from grades nine through 12 to participate in the pilot program.
c. The commissioner shall select up to 12 school districts for participation in the pilot program. The commissioner shall select districts in the northern, central, and southern regions of the State and shall seek a cross section of school districts from urban, suburban, and rural areas of the State. The 1school districts selected by the1 commissioner shall 1[award] be eligible for1 grants, within the limit of available 1[State appropriations] funds that are 2appropriated by the State or2 donated pursuant to subsection d. of this section1, to 1[selected school districts to]1 be used to support the development and implementation of 2[a FIRST]2 1[Robotics Program] robotics 2[program1] programs2 in the selected schools. The 1[commissioner] 2[FIRST nonprofit organization1] commissioner2 shall determine the amount of each grant awarded under the program and may award multi-year grants. Grants awarded pursuant to this subsection shall be used by school districts to 2develop robotics programs in which school districts partner with an approved nonprofit organization that has demonstrated its ability to inspire students through mentor-based programs to build science, technology, engineering, and mathematical skills whereby funds may be used to2 provide coaching stipends, purchase materials for competitions, finance competition travel expenses, and register for events. School districts selected by the commissioner to participate in the pilot program may apply for additional funding 2in separate grant application periods2 as teams in the school district become eligible to participate in 1the1 2[FIRST]2 1[Robotics Program’s] robotics program’s1 district, district championship, and world championship events.
d. 2[1The commissioner shall collaborate with the FIRST nonprofit organization] Nonprofit organizations2, educational advocacy groups, and private sector businesses 2may collaborate2 to encourage and identify the donation of funds for the purpose of awarding grants pursuant to subsection c. of this section. 2The donated funds shall only be used for the purpose of supporting grants under the program. Such funds shall be accepted by the Department of Education to be used for the purposes of the program. If sufficient funding is unavailable, the pilot program shall be paused and shall resume once funding becomes available to support the issuance of grants under the program.2
e.1 2There is established within the Department of Education a fund to be known as the “Robotics Competitions in Schools Fund.” The fund shall be credited only with funds appropriated by the State or funds donated for the purposes of the pilot program established under this section. The fund shall only be used to provide grants to school districts selected for participation under the pilot program.
f.2 Three years following the establishment of the pilot program, the commissioner shall submit a report to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1). The report shall contain information on the implementation of the pilot program, the number of students participating in the program, and the recommendations of the commissioner on continuing, expanding, or modifying the program.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.