This New Jersey bill (A 2265) requires all public school districts to include water safety instruction in health education for students in grades K-12 as part of existing curriculum standards. It mandates teaching specific topics: the dangers of rip tides, beach safety practices (especially for students not near coastlines), hand signals for swimmer distress, and lifeguard sightline limitations. The instruction must be integrated into the Comprehensive Health and Physical Education standards starting with the first full school year after enactment. The bill directly affects all New Jersey public school students and their health education curriculum.
This bill (A 292) provides tuition-free college credits for eligible retired New Jersey law enforcement officers and firefighters who retired due to service-related injuries or illnesses, as well as for their dependents if the officer or firefighter died in the line of duty. Retirees can take up to 16 credits per semester (max 8 semesters) at public or degree-granting private colleges, after applying for all available federal and state grants. The state reimburses institutions for tuition costs not covered by these grants. Dependents must be New Jersey residents, meet academic standards, and enroll in undergraduate or (for spouses with prior degrees) non-medical/graduate programs.
This bill establishes a three-year pilot program within New Jersey's Department of Education to provide assistive technology tools to elementary and middle school students with dyslexia and related learning conditions. The program will supply devices and services like text-to-speech software, speech-to-text applications, and specialized spelling aids to help students access grade-level curriculum, improve reading fluency, and boost writing confidence. Students do not need formal special education classification to qualify. The Commissioner of Education, working with the Office of Information Technology, will manage the pilot, including assessing student needs, acquiring technology, and providing training for educators.
This New Jersey bill prohibits public school districts from including instructional materials that promote specific concepts related to critical race theory, such as claims that one race is inherently superior or that individuals bear responsibility for historical actions of their race. It also bans teachers from engaging in political, ideological, or religious advocacy in classrooms, including endorsing candidates, legislation, or partisan viewpoints on controversial issues. The law allows teaching history neutrally through approved materials, such as historical documents or impartial discussions of historical oppression. Violations could result in withheld state funding, and the bill requires schools to provide teachers with professional development on these rules.
This bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to teach students in grades 6 through 12 about the responsible use of social media and cell phones, including risks like addiction, cyberbullying, and negative impacts on mental health. It expands current requirements (which only covered grades 6-8 in technology classes) by mandating this instruction within the health education curriculum for all grades 6-12. The curriculum must cover responsible platform use, cyber safety, and the specific consequences of irresponsible use, such as harm to mental health and relationships. School districts must use resources provided by the state education commissioner to implement these lessons.
This New Jersey bill, titled the "Homeschool Parent’s Bill of Rights," affirms that parents or guardians have the fundamental right to direct their child’s education at home without government interference. It specifically grants homeschooling parents the right to design individualized curricula based on their child’s needs, choose instructors, explore topics of interest, maintain sole authority over curriculum, and set teaching pace and methods. The law takes immediate effect and applies directly to all homeschooling families in New Jersey, removing any requirement for state oversight of their educational choices. It does not mandate new government actions but declares parental control as a protected right.
This bill allows New Jersey county colleges to apply for permission to offer bachelor's degrees in applied science fields where there is a critical shortage of qualified workers in the local area. To do this, a college must submit a detailed proposal covering program design, facilities, costs, curriculum, and enrollment plans to the New Jersey Presidents’ Council for review. The council reviews the proposal, recommends approval or denial to the Higher Education Secretary, and the college can only launch the program if it receives accreditation. County colleges are limited to offering no more than three such programs, and must report on student enrollment and completion seven years after launch to determine if the program should continue.
This bill requires New Jersey's State Board of Education to mandate that school districts consider staffing consistency when developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students prone to regression, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder. It directly affects IEP teams, school districts, and parents/guardians by requiring them to evaluate stable staff assignments as a key factor in determining in-district special education placements. The law amends existing regulations to ensure IEP teams prioritize consistent staffing - alongside location and curriculum - to prevent regression caused by frequent changes in service providers. This policy change aims to create more stable learning environments for vulnerable students through concrete procedural requirements.
This bill requires parents or guardians who educate their children at home to register with their local school district by August 1st each year (or within 14 days of starting). They must submit a letter with the student’s name/age and the instructor’s name, plus a curriculum aligned with New Jersey’s learning standards. Supervisors must maintain a student portfolio of work samples and secure an annual evaluation from an external qualified evaluator (not a parent), which is submitted to the school district by June 30th. Students meeting these requirements can earn a state-endorsed high school diploma.
This bill amends New Jersey's charter school laws to change how charter schools are established, governed, and operated. It requires charter school boards to include at least two local school board members and two community members chosen by the school board (Section 1). The bill also sets enrollment limits (max 500 students or 25% of the district's student body, whichever is smaller) for new charters and requires 51% support from both teachers and parents to convert existing public schools into charters (Section 4e). These changes directly affect charter school applicants, school districts, and families seeking enrollment in charter schools. The bill does not address funding or curriculum standards, focusing instead on governance, admission processes, and operational rules.
