This New Jersey bill authorizes school districts to issue an alternate high school diploma to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who participate in the state's Alternate Assessment Program. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, these diplomas will be standards-based and require students to complete specific curriculum units in subjects like English, mathematics, and science using alternate academic achievement standards. The legislation ensures that receiving an alternate diploma does not end a student's right to special education services until they turn 21 and allows these students to be included in state graduation rate calculations. Additionally, the bill permits students to attempt to meet the requirements for a standard State-endorsed diploma and clarifies that participation in the alternate program does not determine their educational placement under federal law.
This bill requires all New Jersey school districts to teach bullying awareness and prevention as part of their health and physical education curriculum for students from preschool through 12th grade. The instruction must cover specific topics such as defining different types of bullying, the lasting impact of social media posts, how to seek help, and the consequences faced by those who bully others. Additionally, the curriculum should address how intolerance toward various identities can worsen bullying, while the state education commissioner will provide sample lessons and resources to assist schools.
This bill creates a three-year pilot program to provide school-based mentoring for kindergarten through third-grade students in public schools located within 1,000 feet of a site where gunfire occurred in the previous school year. The program aims to improve the social-emotional and behavioral skills of these students by offering weekly, 25-minute one-on-one sessions focused on emotional monitoring, resilience, and self-control. Under the plan, the state Commissioner of Education will select the Jersey City School District and six other schools across the state to participate, providing grants to cover costs and allowing the use of third-party administrators. Participating schools must train mentors, identify students with specific developmental challenges, and evaluate progress before, during, and after the curriculum. At the end of the pilot, the Commissioner will report to the Governor and Legislature on whether the program should be expanded statewide.
This New Jersey bill requires driver education courses to include specific training on how drivers should approach and pass slow-moving vehicles. It mandates that approved classroom instruction cover these responsibilities and ensures parents of new drivers under 18 receive a brochure with similar safety information. The law affects driving instructors by updating curriculum guidelines and impacts permit holders by providing them with educational materials on sharing the road safely.
This bill creates a voluntary program in New Jersey that awards a State Seal of Civic Readiness to high school graduates who demonstrate strong civic knowledge and engagement. To earn this distinction, students must show proficiency in civics through existing coursework, complete a civic-focused extracurricular activity or community service, and finish a citizenship-related project or portfolio. Participating school districts will issue a certificate and add an insignia to transcripts, while the State Board of Education will set specific criteria without adding new graduation requirements. The Commissioner of Education will also submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing how many students received the award.
This bill allows New Jersey school districts to use leftover state funding from one nonpublic school program to pay for services in the other program. Specifically, it permits unspent money from the nonpublic textbook aid or the Nonpublic Technology Initiative to be redirected to the alternative program if the district does not spend the full amount originally allocated. Under current rules, districts must return any unused funds to the state by December 1 after the school year ends, but this legislation changes that requirement by enabling the transfer of funds between the two specific aid categories. The change applies directly to school districts that receive state assistance for nonpublic schools and aims to provide more flexibility in how they utilize available financial resources.
This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to use leftover state funding from one nonpublic school program to pay for expenses in the other program. Specifically, it permits unspent money designated for nonpublic school textbooks to be used for the Nonpublic Technology Initiative, and vice versa. Currently, districts must return any unused funds to the state after the school year ends, but this legislation would let them apply those funds to the alternative program first. The change aims to provide districts with more flexibility in managing their budgets for these specific educational services.
This bill, known as the Academic Freedom in Higher Education Protection Act, aims to shield colleges and universities in New Jersey from interference by state government officials in their internal operations. It directly affects public and private higher education institutions, their faculty, and their governing boards by legally guaranteeing their autonomy over key decisions such as hiring, curriculum design, student admissions, and research topics. The law explicitly prohibits the Executive Branch, including the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, from interfering with these academic choices, while allowing faculty to teach, research, and publish without external disruption. To enforce these protections, the bill establishes a legal pathway for complaints to be filed in Superior Court, which can issue immediate injunctions if there is a demonstrated likelihood of harm and a strong case for the institution's rights.
This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to count days of virtual or remote instruction toward the mandatory 180-day school year requirement when schools are closed due to emergencies or public health directives. It applies to public schools, charter schools, and private schools serving students with disabilities, ensuring that remote learning can fulfill attendance and graduation requirements if approved by the state commissioner. Under the new rules, districts must submit their remote instruction plans for approval within 30 days of a closure, or the commissioner may grant retroactive approval if the district cannot meet the initial deadline. The legislation also requires the commissioner to provide guidance on technical access for students without internet, the length of remote learning days, and how these changes affect school meals and standardized testing. Additionally, the superintendent gains the authority to implement remote instruction plans during emergencies after consulting with the school board.
This bill allows students in New Jersey to use a portion of their tuition aid grants or opportunity grants to pay for summer courses that help them meet graduation requirements or earn major credits. To use these funds, students must notify their financial aid authorities before the academic year begins, which reduces the amount of grant money they receive during the regular semester. The legislation also requires annual reporting on how many students use these grants for summer classes and their subsequent graduation rates within normal timeframes. Finally, the bill clarifies that using grant funds for summer sessions does not count toward the total number of years a student is eligible to receive financial aid.
