NEW JERSEY – The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has announced the launch of three critical initiatives designed to promote back to school and accelerate learning.
Initiatives will focus on evidence-based strategies that can help schools close achievement gaps caused or exacerbated by COVID-19-related disruptions to the learning environment and the shift to remote teaching. distance.
These programs will prioritize elementary students, based on evidence-based research showing that elementary students have experienced greater developmental setbacks during the pandemic.
“As a state proud to provide the high-quality education our children deserve, addressing the effects of learning loss on our students’ progress remains a top priority,” Governor Phil Murphy said. “These programs are another component of our ongoing efforts to comprehensively meet the mental, emotional and educational needs of our state’s youth. We will continue to take a holistic approach to supporting the academic success and overall well-being of New Jersey students.”
The New Jersey High Impact Tutoring Program began with a 60-day Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for vendors such as businesses, nonprofits, colleges, and universities that have the capacity to provide extensive tutoring services to schools. .
As part of this initiative, the NJDOE is seeking the participation of organizations that can provide large-scale tutoring services, including school districts that offer tutoring or plan to offer tutoring with existing staff.
“The academic challenges facing New Jersey students mirror those faced by students across the country due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Acting Education Commissioner Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan. “These RAPID educator training programs and high-dose tutoring are strategies that will accelerate our students’ learning and help them achieve greater educational success as we progress.”
Eligible providers will need to demonstrate that their tutoring services are based on evidence-based teaching practices.
Tutoring will be prioritized for 3rd and 4th graders, individually or in small groups. Tutoring will take place at least twice a week, for a period of nine or ten weeks.
The NJDOE will also support school districts that have already implemented tutoring programs in their school community.
Following the establishment of a list of approved tutoring providers, local school districts can apply to be reimbursed for a portion of at least $17 million in federal funds from the Emergency Relief Fund for the Governor’s Education (GEER) which will allow them to contract with pre-qualified students. sellers. Additional information regarding the allocation of funds will be provided shortly which will outline the method by which schools will be prioritized for these funds.
All tutoring staff must be properly qualified with at least 60 semester credits from a nationally accredited college or university and have been thoroughly vetted by the hiring organization. Criminal background checks will be required, in accordance with state law and NJDOE regulations.
Using funds allocated under the FY23 budget, along with remaining funds set aside by the state for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER), NJDOE is also launching two programs : RAPID and RAPID-Plus, which are designed to strengthen basic literacy at the primary level by providing specific professional development for educators.
RAPID, for early literacy in kindergarten through grade three, will be supported by a $2 million allocation from the FY23 budget and approximately $700,000 in one-time funds from ESSER. The NJDOE will solicit Requests for Proposals (RFPs) from qualified individuals and organizations who will be approved to serve as RAPID Providers, providing free training to participating school districts.
RAPID-Plus is a grant opportunity for higher education institutions to provide targeted professional development in literacy teaching to educators responsible for upper primary students in grades 4 and 5. RAPID-Plus will be supported by $3 million in funds set aside by the ESSER State.
The NJDOE will enter into an agreement with recipient colleges and universities that have the capacity to provide professional development to New Jersey educators. The grant opportunity notice for this program will be posted on the NJDOE website in the coming days.
“It is clear that the pandemic has exacerbated existing learning gaps that have left students vulnerable, especially those in cities like Newark, the most backward,” said Kyle Rosenkrans, executive director of the New Jersey Children’s Foundation. “We commend the administration’s commitment to high-dose tutoring, an effective tool to bridge these learning gaps, as it meets students and families where they are and breaks down barriers to accessing the support students need to succeed.” .