Education (Curriculum)

New Jersey's S 370 requires public high schools (grades 9-12) to hold two annual events: a 30-minute assembly in November covering military structure, veterans' contributions, and programs like ROTC/service academies, and a veterans appreciation event. Schools must consult local veterans' associations to develop the appreciation event, which can include honoring veterans, featuring veteran speakers, or alternative military-themed activities. The bill applies immediately to the first full school year after enactment, focusing on providing age-appropriate military and veterans education. It directly affects all New Jersey public high schools with grades 9-12, mandating specific curriculum content and community engagement.

S 786 requires all New Jersey public school districts to include water safety instruction in K-12 health education starting with the 2023-2024 school year. The curriculum must cover flotation device use, recognizing water hazards, responding to rip currents, and swimming near lifeguard-monitored areas. This applies to every district implementing the state's Comprehensive Health and Physical Education standards. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

This bill reinstates an annual sales tax exemption for specific school and recreational items purchased by individuals for non-business use. It exempts computers under $3,000, school computer supplies under $1,000, school supplies (like notebooks and art materials), school instructional materials (textbooks, workbooks), and sport/recreation equipment (gloves, skates, etc.) during a defined 10-day period each year. The exemption period runs from 12:01 a.m. on the ninth day before the first Monday in September through 11:59 p.m. on that Monday. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment and applies to sales during exemption periods starting at least 30 days after enactment.

This bill requires New Jersey high school districts (grades 9-12) to add mandatory instruction about compulsive gambling risks to their health and physical education curriculum. The content must cover gambling addiction dangers, financial risks, and probability concepts. The state education commissioner must provide student resources and develop teacher training on identifying gambling issues and treatment options. Implementation begins in the school year after the commissioner completes the training module and updates the state education standards.