Turner Autism Bills Are Now Law

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Nicholas Sacco and Joseph Doria that would increase state aid to school districts bordered by three or more Abbott school districts was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.

“Just because a school district is not labeled an ‘Abbott’ district doesn’t mean it is free from the economic and social challenges that Abbott districts face,” said Senator Sacco, D-Hudson and Bergen. “Those districts with Abbott neighbors often share more than just borders – they also share low income levels, high student mobility rates and the need to provide more social services like free lunches. This bill will help provide those districts with the resources they need to address these challenges and provide their students with a high quality education.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Loretta Weinberg and Ellen Karcher which would make training in autism awareness a condition for teacher certification was unanimously approved today by the Senate Education Committee.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have determined that New Jersey has the highest autism rates in the nation, and as the population increases, so will the number of autism cases,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen. “In today’s society, teachers must be able to deal with the different issues and needs children have, and this legislation would help further prepare them to educate today’s youth.”

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Nicholas Sacco and Joseph Doria that would increase state aid to school districts bordered by three or more Abbott school districts was signed into law over the weekend by Governor Codey.

“These are school districts that look like Abbotts, face many of the same problems as Abbotts, but do so without the State assistance we designate for Abbott districts,” said Senator Sacco, D-Hudson and Bergen. “The local school officials in these near-Abbotts are battling overcrowding, widespread poverty and increased dropout rates, and despite their best efforts, they cannot compete without some sort of additional State aid. If we were to turn our backs and leave these districts to their own problems, we would quickly find ourselves dealing with a regional educational crisis that would be much harder to address.”

TRENTON – A package of bills sponsored by Senators Loretta Weinberg, Ellen Karcher and Joseph Coniglio designed to help increase resources, funding and treatment for those living with autism unanimously cleared the Senate today.

One bill, S-2558, would make training in autism awareness a condition for teacher certification. The bill would call upon the Commissioner of Education to work with the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services and autism education groups to develop coursework dealing with the characteristics and needs of autistic students. The coursework would be included in the curriculums of every college or university offering teacher or paraprofessional certification.

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Nicholas Sacco and Joseph Doria that would increase state aid to school districts bordered by three or more Abbott school districts was approved by the Assembly today.

“Just because a school district doesn’t meet all of the qualifications of the Abbott districts doesn’t mean it is without the economic and social challenges that Abbott districts face,” said Senator Sacco, D-Hudson and Bergen. “The needs of our districts are not as black and white as the funding formula would suggest. These ring districts face many of the same challenges as their Abbott neighbors – they also share low income levels, high numbers of students in English as a second language classes and the need to provide more social services like free lunches. These districts are struggling to provide their students with the programs and services to combat these challenges and these additional funds will help provide their students with a high quality education.”

TRENTON – A bill co-sponsored by Senator Nia Gill that will increase state aid to school districts bordered by three or more Abbott school districts and will provide $3.3 million in extra State assistance to Clifton in her district was signed into law over the weekend by Governor Codey.

“Clifton faces extraordinary hardships, and this new law recognizes that if a school district looks like an Abbott, acts like an Abbott, and is bordered by at least three Abbotts, it obviously needs help,” said Senator Gill, D-Essex and Passaic. “With this additional State assistance, Clifton will have the necessary funds to provide quality educational opportunities for the city’s youth.”