Purpose: 

The Teacher Climate and Culture Innovation Grant is intended to address one of the key recommendations from the Task Force on Public School Staff Shortages in New Jersey: “reclaiming teacher time” through the investigation and implementation of policies and procedures which reduce administrative paperwork and other tasks that pull teachers away from classroom instruction.

The Teacher Climate and Culture Innovation Grant Program will run from May 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025. Awarded local education agencies (LEAs) will:

1) Develop policies, programming, guidance and/or equivalencies (PPGEs) aimed at reclaiming teacher time through the reduction of administrative paperwork and other tasks that pull teachers away from classroom instruction. It is intended that these can be shared and replicated statewide.

2) Implement the PPGEs in one or more schools within the LEA with the purpose of reducing administrative paperwork and other tasks within those participating school(s).

3) Measure the impact of the PPGEs in one or more schools within the LEA with the purpose of understanding its impact on teacher climate and culture within those participating school(s).

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has established an eight-month grant program. This grant program is open to New Jersey Local Education Agencies (LEAs). Awards will range from $75,000 - $200,000 contingent on the number of teachers in the district, and will be made on a regional basis.

Based on the availability of FY24 state appropriations, this grant program will begin May 1, 2024 and will end on February 28, 2025.

Eligible Agencies: NJ LEAs 

Grant Type: Competitive 

Number of Award(s) Anticipated: 30 

Total Amount Available: $2,000,000

Application Due Date: 3/14/2024