Education (Curriculum) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4391: Requires instruction on lightning safety as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

This bill requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate lightning safety instruction in health education for all students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The curriculum must cover indoor/outdoor safety tips, first aid for lightning strikes, common myths, and the school's severe weather policies. School districts may use resources from the National Weather Service or NOAA to support this teaching. The requirement takes effect immediately for the next full school year following enactment.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3697: Requires board of education to directly employ certain professionals; permits board of education to contract for certain personnel; permits use of virtual or remote instruction for public school students in certain circumstances.

S 3697 requires New Jersey school boards to directly employ certified staff for most instructional roles, such as teachers and counselors, rather than contracting them out. The bill permits contracting for specific positions like substitute teachers, staff delivering financial literacy courses, or personnel supporting individualized student learning opportunities (e.g., internships), with approval from the Commissioner of Education. Boards may also seek exemptions for programs addressing learning loss or alternative education, but must still directly employ staff for core curriculum and graduation requirements. The bill defines key terms like "public school" and "individualized student learning opportunities" to clarify its scope, but does not detail virtual instruction provisions as referenced in the title.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1162: Establishes annual sales tax holiday for certain retail sales of computers, school computer supplies, school supplies, school art supplies, and school instructional materials.

This bill establishes an annual two-month sales tax holiday in New Jersey, running from August 1 to September 30 each year. During this period, individual shoppers (not businesses) can purchase certain items tax-free, including computers under $3,000, school computer supplies under $1,000, and defined school supplies (like pens and notebooks), school art supplies (paints and clay), and school instructional materials (textbooks and reference books). The exemption applies only to non-business purchases made by consumers for personal educational use. The bill requires the state tax authority to implement the holiday with minimal administrative changes, effective 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Curriculum

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3435: Requires nursing education on inflammatory breast cancer.

This bill requires all professional nursing schools in New Jersey to add specific education about inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) to their curricula. The curriculum must be developed in consultation with IBC experts and cover diagnosis and treatment. IBC is a rare, aggressive form of breast cancer that often lacks lumps, may not show on mammograms, and disproportionately affects younger women and Black women. The goal is to improve early detection and treatment outcomes by ensuring nurses are trained to recognize IBC symptoms.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Curriculum

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1578: "Opportunity Scholarship Act"; establishes pilot program in Department of Treasury providing tax credits to taxpayers contributing to scholarships for low-income children.

This bill (A1578, "Opportunity Scholarship Act") creates a pilot program allowing New Jersey taxpayers to receive state tax credits for donating to nonprofit scholarship organizations. These organizations then provide scholarships to low-income children (household income ≤2.5x federal poverty level) attending chronically failing public schools, defined as schools with high percentages of students scoring below proficiency in state assessments for two consecutive years. Scholarships cover up to $6,000 annually for K-8 students or 40% of average per-pupil spending in targeted districts for grades 9-12, usable at eligible public or nonpublic schools meeting specific non-discrimination and academic standards. The program is administered through the Department of Treasury and requires schools to accept scholarship students on a space-available basis.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Choice Student Financial Aid

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 809: Establishes grant program for school districts to develop in-district and collaborative special education programs and services to reduce need to place classified students out-of-district.

This bill (A 809) creates a grant program for New Jersey school districts to develop in-district special education programs, reducing the need to place students with disabilities out-of-district. It directly affects school districts and students requiring special education services by providing start-up funds for program development, including curriculum, staff training, and equipment. Districts must submit proposals detailing how their programs will lower costs associated with out-of-district placements, with grants awarded based on program quality and cost-reduction potential across regional areas. The program requires annual data collection on student outcomes and costs, with a statewide evaluation report due to the legislature within three years.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Special Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3578: Establishes process for county colleges to offer baccalaureate degree nursing programs.

This bill establishes a process for New Jersey county colleges to apply for approval to offer four-year nursing degree programs. County colleges must submit detailed proposals to the New Jersey Presidents' Council, including program descriptions, facility details, cost analyses, curriculum plans, and enrollment projections. The Council reviews proposals within 45 days, recommends approval or denial to the Higher Education Secretary, and colleges must also secure accreditation from the New Jersey Board of Nursing. This directly affects county colleges seeking to expand nursing education and addresses a state-level need for more nursing graduates.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Curriculum Healthcare Workforce

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 312: Establishes "Defend our Educational Resources Act."

This bill requires New Jersey's Governor, with the Commissioner of Education, to take actions protecting the state's educational resources from federal interference. Specifically, it mandates challenging federal policies limiting state authority over education, supporting efforts to challenge the Supreme Court's *Plyler v. Doe* decision (which guarantees public school access to undocumented children), and backing local initiatives preserving educational resources. The law directly affects New Jersey's public education system, state officials, and students, particularly those in immigrant communities. It establishes a state framework for opposing federal education policies but does not change existing school funding or curriculum rules. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Education ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Funding DACA & Dreamers Sanctuary Policies

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1583: Requires school districts to provide instruction on water safety as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

This bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to teach water safety as part of the health education curriculum for students in grades K-12, starting with the 2018-2019 school year. It mandates instruction on four specific topics: proper use of flotation devices, awareness of water conditions, dangers of rip currents and how to respond, and the importance of swimming in lifeguard-monitored areas. The law directly affects every student in New Jersey public schools, integrating water safety into existing health education standards. It aims to address drowning as a leading cause of accidental death by providing practical safety knowledge. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education School Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3140: Requires school districts to provide instruction on risks of compulsive gambling 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 include lessons on compulsive gambling risks within their required health education curriculum. The instruction must cover gambling addiction dangers, financial risks, and probability concepts. The state education commissioner will provide sample lesson materials and develop teacher training on identifying gambling issues and treatment resources. Implementation begins the school year after the next state curriculum review, not immediately.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers Substance Abuse

All education bills