Education (Curriculum) in New Jersey

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2797: Requires instruction on cursive handwriting in public school curriculum.

S 2797 would have required New Jersey public school districts to teach cursive handwriting to students in kindergarten through fifth grade, with a goal of achieving legible cursive writing proficiency by the end of third grade. The bill mandated incorporating specific activities and materials into the curriculum to develop students' ability to read and write cursive, citing research linking cursive instruction to improved cognitive, motor, and literacy skills - particularly for students with learning disabilities like dyslexia. This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was already enacted through P.L.2025, c.284.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2050: Establishes Textbook Grant Program for State Interns.

S 2050 establishes a $500 one-time grant program for New Jersey college students who complete unpaid short-term internships with state government entities. Administered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, the grant covers textbook and course material costs for the student’s next semester. To qualify, students must have finished an unpaid state internship and be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at a New Jersey institution, with proof of continued enrollment. The bill aims to help offset the average annual textbook cost of over $1,200 for students, as noted by the College Board.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2026: Exempts from "Sales and Use Tax Act" certain retail sales of computers and school supplies; allows $500 gross income tax deduction to teachers purchasing school supplies for classroom use.

This bill provides two tax benefits: it exempts retail sales of certain school supplies, art supplies, instructional materials, computers under $3,000, and school computer supplies under $1,000 from New Jersey's sales tax when purchased by individuals for non-business use year-round (replacing a temporary back-to-school holiday). It also creates a $500 annual deduction for eligible teachers' unreimbursed classroom expenses, including items like books, pencils, computers, and lab equipment. The tax exemption applies to sales after the fourth month following enactment, while the deduction applies to taxable years starting after the next January 1. These provisions directly affect students purchasing supplies, parents buying school items, and teachers covering classroom costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Income Tax Procurement Sales Tax Curriculum

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1962: Directs State Board of Education to rescind New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education and directs boards of education to establish Parental Advisory Committees and adopt standards for health instruction.

This bill directs the State Board of Education to remove New Jersey's 2020 Comprehensive Health and Physical Education standards. It requires every local school district to form Parental Advisory Committees (with parent representation) to help develop new health curriculum standards, and mandates districts to adopt these standards within 180 days. The bill affects all public school districts and students in New Jersey by shifting control over health education content from the state to local school boards with parent input. It does not include new content requirements (like suicide prevention or organ donation education), as those were part of the standards being rescinded.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Student Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 555: Provides that required instruction on sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention in grades preschool through 12 include content on Internet safety and dangers of online predators.

This bill requires New Jersey public schools to include Internet safety and online predator dangers in all existing sexual abuse and assault prevention education for students in preschool through 12th grade. It amends current law (P.L.2019, c.185) to explicitly mandate this content as part of health and physical education curriculum. The Commissioner of Education must consult with specific organizations, including the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking, to develop age-appropriate teaching resources. The policy directly affects all school districts and students in New Jersey's public K-12 system. The bill takes effect 30 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Curriculum Early Childhood School Safety Online Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3250: Requires textbook publishers to provide public institutions of higher education with information on price and availability of textbooks.

This bill, the "Textbook Access Act," requires textbook publishers to disclose pricing and availability information to faculty or departments at New Jersey's public colleges and universities (like Rutgers, NJIT, and Rowan) when they select course materials. Publishers must reveal the price for college bookstores and indicate when unbundled textbook options (without extra materials like CD-ROMs) are available in the same edition. It also mandates that institutions establish policies encouraging timely ordering to check for used books or digital alternatives, and requires publishers to provide substitute product pricing if the requested textbook is unavailable. The goal is to increase transparency in textbook purchasing to help students save money on required course materials.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 779: Requires students to complete free application for federal student aid as part of high school graduation requirements or request an exemption.

New Jersey's S 779 requires high school students in grade 11 and above to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of their graduation requirements, starting in the first full school year after the bill takes effect. Students may request an exemption by submitting a signed form from a parent/guardian or, if 18+, by their own request. The bill also mandates that the state education commissioner provide schools and families clear resources with step-by-step instructions for completing the FAFSA. This policy directly affects New Jersey public high school students and aims to increase access to federal financial aid by integrating FAFSA completion into graduation pathways.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1588: Establishes annual sales tax holiday for certain retail sales of computers, school computer supplies, school supplies, school art supplies, and school instructional materials.

S 1588 creates an annual two-month sales tax holiday in New Jersey for eligible school-related purchases during August and September. It exempts from tax individual shoppers buying computers under $3,000, school computer supplies under $1,000, and specific school supplies (like notebooks and art materials), school art supplies, and instructional materials (such as textbooks and maps) for non-business use. The tax-free period runs from August 1 to September 30 each year, directly benefiting families preparing for the school year. This policy aligns with similar tax holidays in 19 states, providing immediate savings without requiring special applications or rebates.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Curriculum

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1331: Requires public schools to post curriculum plans online; requires school districts to make textbooks or other materials used in implementing curriculum plans available for inspection by parents and legal guardians.

This bill requires New Jersey public school districts to post detailed curriculum plans online for each grade level and course at least 30 days before the school year starts. It mandates that districts include units of study, learning objectives, and specific textbook/material information on their websites, with updates whenever plans change. Parents and legal guardians must be given the opportunity to review all instructional materials before they are used in classrooms. The law aims to increase transparency by making curriculum details and materials accessible to families ahead of instruction.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2685: Requires school districts to provide instruction on menstrual health and hygiene as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

S 2685 requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction on menstrual health and hygiene for students in grades 4-12 as part of their health and physical education curriculum. The bill mandates teaching about proper use of menstrual products (including risks like Toxic Shock Syndrome), symptoms of menstrual disorders, effects of period poverty, and when to seek medical help. Schools must notify parents before starting this instruction, and the law takes effect for the first full school year after enactment. This directly affects all New Jersey public school districts and their students in the specified grade range.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Curriculum Student Health

All education bills