In June of 2021, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and state lawmakers approved a three-year extension of special-education eligibility for students whose lives had been disrupted by the pandemic (sometimes referred to as “S3434”). The state earmarked $600 million to help an estimated 8,700 students over the age of 21 who would otherwise “age out” of special education to stay in school an extra year. The bill benefited students aging out in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 school year, making this the last year in which students will be eligible.
To date, only 5% of the potentially eligible students have benefited from that legislation. Halfway through the three-year period, the state has spent $36.4 million for 442 students who have taken advantage of the additional year of services, according to the New Jersey Department of Education.
Services provided through the legislation are funded with federal coronavirus aid. It is not known what will happen to the unspent funds that have been earmarked for this purpose.
