The NJ Department of Education publishes annual data relating to certain “student groups”, per school. The table below focuses on three groups that, per state funding law, are entitled to more funding based on the level of need. These groups are:
- At-risk students, defined as lower income students who qualify for free or reduced lunch
- English language learners
- Special education students, also called “students with disabilities” in the state data reports.
The state assumes that students who fall into one or more of these groupings require more funding. And this makes sense. Take a special education student…like a child with autism who may require an extra aide in the classroom. That aide is an additional cost that the district must incur to adequately educate that child.
To learn more about NJ School Performance Reports and student groupings specifically, visit the NJ Department of Education site here.
