NJ Nonpublic School Technology Initiative Program

The New Jersey Nonpublic School Technology Initiative Program is authorized by language in the Appropriations Act authorizing Nonpublic School Technology Initiative Aid to be paid to school districts and allocated for nonpublic school pupils in a manner that is consistent with the provisions of the federal and State constitution. This program has been in effect since 1999.

The goal of the nonpublic technology initiative program is to provide nonpublic school pupils with computers, educational software, distance learning equipment and other technologies that can improve their education by meeting their specific educational needs and to give nonpublic school teachers the skills, resources and incentives to use educational technologies effectively to improve teaching and learning in the classroom. This technology funding is administered by public school districts for students attending nonpublic schools.

Please be aware that there are minimal changes to this program this year and all changes can be found on the posted Timelines and Allowable Expenses list. Therefore, there will not be a public technical assistance session but technical assistance will be given through the phone or e-mail by contacting one of the above representatives of the Office of Educational and Informational Technology.

If you are not sure if your nonpublic school is eligible for the Nonpublic School Technology Initiative Program, please check the posted guidelines first or e-mail one of the representatives from the New Jersey Department of Education’s Office of Educational and Informational Technology at:

For the purposes of the Nonpublic School Technology Initiative Program the following words shall have the following meaning:

"Nonpublic School" means an elementary or secondary school within the State other than a public school that complies with compulsory school attendance requirements and with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

"Per Pupil" means for each pupil enrolled on the last school day prior to October 16 of the preceding school year.

"Pupil" means any child who is a resident of the State and who is enrolled as a full-time student in a nonpublic school in grades kindergarten through twelve. Kindergarten pupils must be enrolled in a program that meets at least two and one-half hours per day. Kindergarten students must have met the following criteria:

A child who boards at a school but whose parents do not maintain a residence in the State shall not be deemed a resident of the State for the purposes of this program.

"Technology" means using the tools of educational technology (computers, software, videodisks and tapes, CD-ROM, DVD, etc.) to extend and enhance the instructional process for nonpublic school students.

A board of education for an elementary constituent district of a regional school district or a regional school district’s board of education must provide technology only for nonpublic schools having the grade levels for which the district has responsibility.

The technology provided to nonpublic schools must not include providing instructional services directly to nonpublic school students.

Equipment and supplies comparable to that used in a public school district can be purchased and used to provide the technology to nonpublic schools. Such equipment may be loaned without charge to a nonpublic school for the purpose of providing the technology required under this program. However, such equipment remains the property of the district board of education and must be labeled as such.

The funds expended by a board of education for the administrative costs related to providing technology for a participating nonpublic school must be limited to the actual cost of administering the provision of technology for the participating nonpublic school or five percent of the funds allocated for each participating nonpublic school, whichever is less.

All nonpublic schools desiring to participate in this program are required to apply each year using the Nonpublic School Enrollment Report.

Please remember to indicate the desire to participate in this funding on the annual
nonpublic school enrollment form.