Proposed Planning Guidelines For Providing Educational Facilities And Programs PDF Download

This report on preschool facilities analyzes regulations proposed by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to implement the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act. (EFCFA). EFCFA, which authorizes and governs New Jersey's public school construction program, was enacted in July 2000 to implement the State Supreme Court's 1998 ruling in Abbott v. Burke. The report examines sections of the proposed NJDOE regulations related to planning and construction of facilities providing preschool education programs. The proposal regulations are evaluated for compliance with two constitutional mandates: (1) safe and educationally adequate school facilities, and (2) well-planned, high quality preschool for all three- and four-year old children. Following a summary of key findings and recommended amendments to the NJDOE proposed regulations, the report provides background on the Abbott preschool and school construction programs, analyzes the proposed NJDOE regulations, and makes recommendations for changes. The report concludes that substantial revision of the proposed rules are necessary to improve implementation of the Abbott preschool and facilities programs over the next five-year construction cycle. The Education Law Center calls for support of NJDOE, and the State Commissioner and Board of Education to make the suggested improvements. Two appendixes include: (1) Highlights of the Proposed Educational Facilities Planning Standards for Preschool, N.J.A.C. 6A:26-6.4; and (2) Examples of Proposed Unhoused Student Calculation. (Contains 28 footnotes.).