2025 Broadcasts

October

October 8

Guidance

Opportunities

2025 Drumthwacket Holiday Ornaments by NJ Schools: Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States and Honoring New Jersey’s Role
2025-2026 State Seal of Biliteracy Program Participation and Updates

Current Grant Opportunities

The latest grants may be found on the Department’s Office of Grants Management webpage

External Messages and Resources

October 2

Special

NJSLA-Adaptive and NJGPA-Adaptive Practice Tests Now Available

October 1

Initiatives

Phone-Free Schools Grant Now Available
- Deadline: October 31, 2025
The New Jersey Literacy Framework: Connections to Preschool
Extension Of Submission Deadlines for Student Management and Special Education Collections

Guidance

Opportunities

Current Grant Opportunities

The latest grants may be found on the Department’s Office of Grants Management webpage

External Messages and Resources

NJDCF: New Jersey Child Assault Prevention (NJCAP) Program
NASA TechRise Student Challenge
- Deadline: November 3, 2025
NJ Center for Civic Education Professional Development Fall Series
Presidential Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge
- Deadline: January 20, 2026
Teach Asian American Stories Offering Free Workshops

September 24

Guidance

Application for State School Aid: Important Dates, Work Papers, and Procedures
Report of Nonpublic Auxiliary and Handicapped Services for 2026-2027 Funding
- Deadline: November 5, 2025

Opportunities

Virtual Career Day for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students
- Deadline: October 17, 2025
Deaf Education Professionals Workshop Day
- Deadline: October 24, 2025

Current Grant Opportunities

The latest grants may be found on the Department’s Office of Grants Management webpage

External Messages and Resources

September 17

Commissioner's Message:

Today I joined Governor Murphy, filmmaker Ken Burns, educators, and other community leaders for a program sponsored by RevolutionNJ, the organization led by the New Jersey Historical Commission that is spearheading events and initiatives to celebrate 250 years of American Independence.

A major part of this initiative includes local school leaders. The New Jersey Department of Education has been involved in the RevolutionNJ campaign through the launch of an educational initiative we’ve dubbed “Revolutionary Schools.” This is more than just a commemoration. Rather, Revolutionary Schools is a collaboration between schools, the Department, and RevolutionNJ to breathe new life into local history and to promote civic engagement. So many important events have occurred right here in our State, providing us with a perfect opportunity to make the history of our independence real and meaningful for our students.

Over the next three years, participating schools will have access to resources, professional development, and experiential learning opportunities to engage students in new and exciting ways. Schools will offer civics initiatives, weave into their curriculum RevolutionNJ’s educational programs like “History Happened Here,” share exemplary instructional practices, and be a part of local and statewide events.

If you haven’t done so already, I invite you to take the first steps by exploring the Revolutionary Schools webpage, where you can take part in the Revolutionary Schools program. Thank you for your involvement in this important initiative.

Guidance

Parental Notification of Standardized Assessments
- Deadline: October 1, 2025
Updates on WIDA Alternate Screener and Alternate ACCESS Exit Criteria
Biannual Reporting of Paraprofessional Staff
- Deadline: September 30, 2025 and January 31, 2026
October 2025 District Report of Transported Resident Students
- Deadline: November 14, 2025
Celebrating New Jersey Agricultural Literacy Week: September 22-26, 2025
ICYMI: NJSLA-Adaptive and NJGPA-Adaptive Fall 2025 Field Test Training Information Update
ICYMI: NJSLA-Adaptive and NJGPA-Adaptive Fall 2025 Field Test Participation and Timing
ICYMI: NJSLA-Adaptive and NJGPA-Adaptive Fall 2025 Field Test Accommodations and Accessibility Features

Opportunities

Holocaust Education Grant for Educators
- Deadline: October 17, 2025

Current Grant Opportunities

The latest grants may be found on the Department’s Office of Grants Management webpage

External Messages and Resources

September 16

Special

September 12

Special

NJSLA-Adaptive and NJGPA-Adaptive Fall 2025 Field Test Training Information Update

September 10

Initiatives

Guidance

Opportunities

Nominations Sought for 2025-2026 Governor’s Educator of the Year Recognition Program
- Deadline: December 5, 2025
Call for Presenters: 2025–26 Lessons from the Field Webinar Series Featuring the Autism Program Quality Indicators–Revised
- Deadline: October 15, 2025
2025-2026 Training Opportunities for Person-Centered Approaches in Schools and Transition
School Safety Specialist Training to Be Held in September/October
- Register by: September 22, 2025
New Jersey Career Assistance Navigator (NJCAN) 360 Webinars

Current Grant Opportunities

The latest grants may be found on the Department’s Office of Grants Management webpage

External Messages and Resources

Pathways to Germany: Study and Apprenticeship Opportunities
NJDCA: Lead Remediation and Abatement Program (LRAP) (flyers in English and Spanish)
Reminder: New Jersey Back to School State Resource Packet

September 3

Commissioner's Message:

Dear Colleagues,

I am excited to welcome back our students, school staff, and families to a new school year filled with opportunity.

This year, more New Jersey children will attend high-quality preschool across more districts than ever before. Literacy will remain a central priority, with expanded investments in tools, training, and evidence-based programs to ensure every child builds a strong foundation in reading. At the same time, students will explore math in ways that aim to develop quantitatively and analytically literate citizens. Likewise, new opportunities in computer science, AI career pathways, and other cutting-edge technologies are preparing our students for the future. Next-generation statewide assessments, new student data systems, and our world-class educators further enhance our schools as the pride of our state and communities.

Yet even as we look ahead with optimism, our excitement is tempered by the devastating tragedy at an elementary school in Minneapolis last week. Even from hundreds of miles away, we share in the grief of parents, students, and staff, and we are reminded that the experience of school is universal. Moments like this strengthen our collective resolve and renew our steadfast commitment to ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of every student and every school community here in New Jersey.

From me personally, and on behalf of my colleagues at the Department of Education, thank you for being an essential part of this effort—and welcome to the 2025–2026 school year.