Education (Curriculum) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3086: Requires board of education to provide an individual textbook for each student enrolled in class.

S 3086 requires every public school district in New Jersey to provide each student with their own textbook (including electronic versions) for classes that use textbooks as the primary learning material. This directly affects all students enrolled in courses using textbooks, ensuring they have individual access rather than sharing materials. The law defines "textbook" broadly to include books, workbooks, manuals, or digital resources used as the main study source. It aims to address situations where students lacked textbooks, which hindered their ability to complete homework and prepare for assessments. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 1343: Permits students to be eligible for high school graduation credits in career readiness or career, and technical education for completing county fire academy course under certain circumstances.*

This bill allows high school students aged 16-18 to earn graduation credits in health, safety, and physical education by completing a county fire academy course. To qualify, students must pass a junior firefighter exam and commit to two years of volunteer service at their local fire department. The policy amends New Jersey's education rules to accept fire academy completion as fulfillment of specific graduation requirements, directly affecting eligible students in participating school districts. It does not replace existing junior firefighter auxiliary programs.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2640: Establishes various requirements for charter schools, charter school board of trustees members, and charter management organizations.

This bill establishes new requirements for New Jersey charter schools, their governing boards, and charter management organizations (nonprofits operating multiple charters). It mandates that charter applications include detailed curriculum plans, staff qualifications, parental involvement strategies, and compliance with state academic standards. The bill also sets enrollment limits (max 500 students or 25% of a district's total), requires 51% support from staff and parents for existing public schools converting to charters, and defines charter management organizations under 501(c)(3) nonprofit rules. These provisions apply directly to all new and existing charter schools operating in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Choice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1156: Requires school districts to let nonpublic school students participate in district high school interscholastic athletics.

This bill requires New Jersey public school districts to allow students attending nonpublic schools to try out for and join their district's high school sports teams, provided they meet the same eligibility requirements as public school students (including academic standards, physical exams, and fees). Nonpublic school students must provide proof of district residency and comply with all team rules, behavior expectations, and participation requirements set by the district. School districts may charge nonpublic students a fee up to the actual per-pupil cost of the sport (excluding those with financial hardship, defined by school lunch program criteria), but are not required to provide transportation or alter team schedules. The bill does not change existing eligibility rules governed by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 18, 2026

S 2912: Requires instruction on voting in curriculum of students in grade 12 as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies.

This bill requires New Jersey public school districts to include voter education in the 12th-grade social studies curriculum as part of the state's Student Learning Standards. It mandates teaching students about voting importance, eligibility and registration processes, and how to locate polling places or request absentee ballots. School districts must incorporate this content directly into their existing curriculum, with optional collaboration between schools and local election officials to develop materials or provide registration forms. The law applies to all public high schools and takes effect immediately upon enactment for the first full school year after passage.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 771: Eliminates requirement to submit sales tax exemption form for textbook purchases.

This bill eliminates the requirement for students to provide a sales tax exemption form when purchasing textbooks, and removes the need for schools to formally declare textbooks as required for school. It directly affects students (especially those buying online), schools, and retailers by simplifying the tax exemption process. Key provisions include removing all form submissions, clarifying that rentals and all textbook formats (new, used, electronic, physical) qualify for exemption, and removing school approval requirements. The change applies immediately to all textbook sales and rentals without needing proof of school use.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives Curriculum

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 828: Establishes the New Jersey School Counts County College Scholarship Program.

This bill establishes the New Jersey School Counts County College Scholarship Program, which provides up to $4,000 in scholarships to eligible high school graduates attending county colleges. To qualify, students must earn a "School Counts" certificate by meeting strict attendance (95%+), academic (C+ GPA), and graduation requirements during high school, including completing Algebra I. The scholarship covers tuition, books, and fees up to the full cost of attendance per year (capped at $2,000 annually), requires students to apply for other aid first, and is funded through state appropriations, college contributions, and private donations. It directly affects New Jersey high school graduates who meet the School Counts criteria and participating county colleges.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2627: Establishes Advisory Commission on Advancing LGBTQIA+ Youth Equity and Inclusion in Schools.

S 2627 establishes a permanent 25-member Advisory Commission on Advancing LGBTQIA+ Youth Equity and Inclusion in Schools within New Jersey's Executive Branch. The commission, appointed by state leaders and including representatives from education associations, advocacy groups, and state agencies, will review school policies affecting LGBTQIA+ students and recommend strategies to reduce bullying, improve mental health support, and ensure inclusive curriculum content. It directly serves LGBTQIA+ students in New Jersey public schools by guiding state efforts to create safer learning environments. The bill does not enact new school policies but creates a body to study challenges and advise the Department of Education, following a 2024 executive order.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Safety Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 1106: Establishes "STEM Curriculum Grant Program" for certain school districts; makes appropriation.

S 1106 establishes a state-funded STEM grant program targeting at-risk students (defined as those from households earning at or below 1.85x the federal poverty level) in grades 6-8 across selected school districts. The bill requires participating districts to provide hands-on STEM projects, offer an accelerated learning option for students behind grade level (allowing two years of coursework in one year), and include staff training and classroom resources. It appropriates $2.25 million from the General Fund to the Department of Education, which will partner with the nonprofit Engaged Learning Strategies to administer the program. Districts must already have existing STEM programs meeting specific criteria and must serve at least 60 at-risk students per district. The program aims to expand project-based STEM learning in qualifying schools through direct funding and structured curriculum support.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Curriculum K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2654: Requires school districts to provide instruction on interacting with law enforcement as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies.

This bill (S 2654) requires all New Jersey public school districts to add instruction about interacting with law enforcement to their social studies curriculum starting in the 2018-2019 school year. It directly affects all K-12 students by mandating age-appropriate lessons on mutual respect during police interactions, the role of law enforcement in public safety, individual responsibilities to comply with directives, and legal rights during encounters. The curriculum must be developed with an advisory committee including police unions, civil rights groups, and educators, split into two parts: simpler content for grades K-4 and more detailed material for grades 5-12. The law specifies concrete teaching requirements without altering existing standards or creating new enforcement mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education School Safety

All education bills