N.J. Stat. tit. 18A, ch. 54F

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 18A:54F-1 Findings, declarations

1. The Legislature finds and declares that educational experts agree that at-risk youths face unique social and economic problems which work to inhibit their academic achievement and eventually their successful integration into the workplace; that the New Jersey Supreme Court in its June, 1990 Abbott v. Burke decision ordered that provision be made and programs developed to address the special disadvantages of at-risk students; and, that in its July, 1994 Abbott v. Burke decision, the Supreme Court suggested the need for the State itself to specifically identify and implement the supplemental programs necessary to meet the needs of at-risk youth. The Legislature further finds that the development of an At-Risk Youth Employment Internship Program within the Department of Education would assist in addressing the needs and conditions which place students at risk of not acquiring the knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes necessary for school success and future successful functioning as adults in society and also would assist in meeting the State's obligation to identify and implement specific programs for at-risk youths. L.1995,c.256,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:54F-2 At-Risk Youth Employment Internship Program, established

2. There is established in the Department of Education an At-Risk Youth Employment Internship Program to be administered by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to the provisions of this act. The program shall provide for the placement of at-risk public school students in employment internships with public or private profit or nonprofit employers and the payment of a training stipend to those students. The purpose of the program shall be to enable at-risk students to acquire a thorough knowledge of the business operations of the employer with which the student is placed and an understanding of the linkage between the skills, behaviors, and attitudes necessary for school success and future successful functioning as an adult in the workplace. L.1995,c.256,s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:54F-3 Selection of school districts for pilot program

3. a. The Commissioner of Education shall develop and administer the program on a pilot basis. The commissioner shall select local school districts to participate in the program based upon the number of at-risk students within the district, the interest of public and private profit or nonprofit employers located within the district in participating in the program, and the commissioner's evaluation of the district's ability to successfully implement the program. In selecting school districts to participate, the commissioner shall include urban and suburban districts from the north, central and southern regions of the State with at least one school district per county. b. A school district which wants to participate in the program shall provide to the commissioner an outline of its proposed program which shall include, but not be limited to: information on the number and grade level of the at-risk students who will participate in the program; the process of student referral to the program; the selection criteria for student participants which, in addition to eligibility for at-risk funding under section 80 of P.L.1990, c.52 (C.18A:7D-20), shall include the identification of students who are not meeting district standards of behavior and academic achievement; a listing of employers within the district who have agreed to participate in the program and the process which will be utilized for matching students to employment internship opportunities; and, an analysis of the manner in which student employment experiences will enhance the self-esteem and assimilation of life skills necessary for productive functioning in the school setting and society. L.1995,c.256,s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:54F-4 Student, employer remuneration; work study funds

4. a. Each student's employment internship under the program shall be for a period of two hours, three days per week unless the district determines that some other employment schedule would be of greater benefit to the student. For participation in the employment internship, the student shall receive a stipend in the amount of $25 per week. b. A public or private profit or nonprofit employer which participates in the program shall receive a stipend in the amount of $150 per month to cover any administrative or other costs which the employer may incur as a result of participation. c. The commissioner shall approve a plan for the utilization of work study funds allocated under N.J.S.18A:58-34 and other State or federal funds available for services to at-risk students to finance the student and administrative stipends and any other costs associated with the program. The commissioner may, if he determines that a school district's participation in the program is in the best interests of its at-risk students, review a school district's budget and direct the district to reallocate funds to the program. The commissioner may also direct the participation of any school district in the program if the commissioner determines that the implementation of the program would constitute a demonstrably effective improvement strategy for the district's at-risk students. L.1995,c.256,s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:54F-5 Plan to track effectiveness of program; recommendation

5. a. The commissioner shall implement a plan to collect data on the effectiveness of the program in meeting the needs and conditions of students which place them at-risk of academic and social failure. The plan shall include a system to track student participants to determine if those students successfully completed the school year. b. Two years following the effective date of this act, the commissioner shall submit to the Governor and the Legislature an evaluation of the At-Risk Youth Employment Internship Program and a recommendation on the advisability of its continuation and expansion to other school districts within the State. L.1995,c.256,s.5.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:54F-6 Rules, regulations

6. The State Board of Education shall adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), the rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this act. L.1995,c.256,s.6.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026