Requires calculation of national average time needed to approve applications for initial credential in profession or occupation and use of average time as standard in New Jersey.
Impact
By establishing a formal requirement for degree plans, the bill promotes a more structured approach to academic advising in New Jersey's higher education system. It also compels institutions to create pathway systems that outline graduation progress benchmarks for each major and general education programs. These pathway systems are intended to provide students with the necessary framework that outlines the required courses and benchmarks to ensure they stay on track to complete their degrees effectively.
Summary
Senate Bill S1480 focuses on enhancing the pathway to graduation for undergraduate students enrolled in institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions in New Jersey. The bill mandates that undergraduate students must file a degree plan by a certain point in their academic journey: within 60 credit hours for four-year institutions, or 30 credit hours for county colleges and proprietary institutions. This requirement aims to encourage students to map out their academic goals early, thus facilitating timely graduation.
Sentiment
The sentiment around S1480 appears to be generally positive, as it is framed as a means to improve graduation rates and academic accountability among students. Advocates argue that by requiring a degree plan, institutions can better support students in achieving their educational objectives. However, the bill may also face scrutiny from those who feel that it imposes additional bureaucratic requirements or fails to consider the challenges faced by non-traditional students.
Contention
A notable point of contention could stem from how effectively institutions implement the required systems for monitoring and advising students on their progress. There may be concerns about the adequacy of institutional resources to support these requirements, particularly at smaller or underfunded institutions. Moreover, the specific criteria for what constitutes satisfactory progress toward a degree could lead to pushback from students who find themselves at risk due to insufficient academic support.
Same As
Requires calculation of national average time needed to approve applications for initial credential in profession or occupation and use of average time as standard in New Jersey.
Carry Over
Requires calculation of national average time needed to approve applications for initial credential in profession or occupation and use of average time as standard in New Jersey.
Carry Over
Requires calculation of national average time needed to approve applications for initial credential in profession or occupation and use of average time as standard in New Jersey.
Requires calculation of national average time needed to approve applications for initial credential in profession or occupation and use of average time as standard in New Jersey.
Requires calculation of national average time needed to approve applications for initial credential in profession or occupation and use of average time as standard in New Jersey.
Requires feasibility study to examine establishment of regional medical examiner office facility in Southern New Jersey and collaborative development of new medical examiner education initiatives; appropriates $40,000.
Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.
Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain propriety institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.
Applies provisions of "New Jersey College Student and Parent Consumer Information Act" to proprietary schools and limits eligibility for State student assistance programs to students enrolled in certain proprietary schools.
Establishes provisions for use of applicant and student criminal history at institution of higher education and degree-granting proprietary institution.
Requires certain institutions of higher education and degree-granting proprietary institutions to submit certain documentation on online program managers to Secretary of Higher Education.
Provides that former law enforcement officers who retired due to disability are eligible to receive tuition assistance to attend public institution of higher education or proprietary institution licensed to confer academic degrees.
Provides that former law enforcement officers who retired due to disability are eligible to receive tuition assistance to attend public institution of higher education or proprietary institution licensed to confer academic degrees.