Education (Curriculum) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1701: Requires legislative approval of changes to core curriculum content standards and Statewide assessments.

This bill requires New Jersey's State Board of Education to seek legislative approval for any updates to core curriculum standards (defining what students learn) or statewide assessments (like standardized tests). The State Board must submit proposed changes to the legislature, which then has 45 days to approve or disapprove them via a concurrent resolution. If disapproved, the changes cannot be implemented. This directly affects the State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education, shifting authority over curriculum and testing decisions from the education board to the legislature.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2986: Requires school districts to provide instruction on bleed control as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

This bill requires New Jersey public school districts with grades 9-12 to integrate bleed control instruction into their existing health and physical education curriculum, as part of the state's Comprehensive Health and Physical Education standards. It directly affects high school students by adding practical skills for managing severe bleeding injuries. School districts may choose free, non-certification training programs to meet this requirement. The law takes effect immediately, with implementation beginning in the first full school year after enactment. This is a concrete curriculum change focused on student safety, not a broader policy or commentary.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education School Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 67: Requires school districts to provide instruction on the dangers of texting while driving as part of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

S 67 requires New Jersey public school districts to teach students in grades 9-12 about the dangers of texting while driving as part of their health education curriculum. Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, schools must cover how distracted driving correlates with erratic behavior (like lane-weaving) and provide statistics on related accidents, injuries, and fatalities. The Commissioner of Education will provide sample lesson materials and resources to support this instruction. This bill directly affects all New Jersey public high schools and their 9th-12th grade students through mandated curriculum changes.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Curriculum Traffic Safety

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 1335: Removes diversity and inclusion instruction requirements for students in grades kindergarten through eight.

This bill removes a requirement for New Jersey public schools to teach diversity and inclusion lessons to students in kindergarten through grade 8. It specifically eliminates the mandate that schools incorporate instruction on unconscious bias and its societal impact for these younger grades. The bill modifies existing law (P.L.2021, c.32), which previously required such lessons for all students in grades K-12, by narrowing the requirement to apply only to grades 9-12. The change directly affects K-8 students and school districts, removing specific curriculum obligations related to diversity education and unconscious bias examination.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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 1139: Establishes "Parents Bill of Rights Act"; prohibits school district from interfering with fundamental right of parent or guardian to engage in and direct student's education; permits opt-out of school district curriculum.

This bill, S 1139 ("Parents Bill of Rights Act"), grants parents and guardians in New Jersey public schools a fundamental right to engage in and direct their child's education. It requires schools to provide parents with a curriculum summary, allow review of classroom materials (including textbooks and media), and permit opting a child out of any curriculum conflicting with their moral or religious beliefs - without academic penalties. The bill prohibits school districts from interfering with these rights or denying parent requests for educational information. It directly affects all parents/guardians of students in New Jersey public schools and mandates specific transparency and choice mechanisms for curriculum access.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum

All education bills