Education in New Jersey

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

A 167: Requires legislative approval of changes to core curriculum content standards and Statewide assessments.

This bill (A-167) requires New Jersey's State Board of Education to obtain legislative approval before implementing changes to core curriculum standards or statewide assessments. Specifically, any revision to these standards or assessments must be submitted to the Legislature, which must vote on a concurrent resolution within 45 days to approve or disapprove the change. If disapproved, the change cannot be implemented; if approved, it takes effect. This directly affects the State Board of Education (which develops standards) and the Legislature (which must vote on changes), shifting authority from the Board to the elected Legislature for these education policy decisions.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Testing & Assessment

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

A 1439: Prohibits State Board of Education from requiring student growth objectives to evaluate teachers.

This bill prohibits New Jersey's State Board of Education from requiring teachers to use "student growth objectives" (SGOs) to measure student progress as part of teacher evaluations. Currently, SGOs account for 15-50% of a teacher's evaluation score. The bill directly affects all public school teachers by eliminating this specific evaluation component. The key provision bans the State Board from mandating SGOs or any substantially similar assessment for teacher evaluations, effective immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Teachers Testing & Assessment

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

A 2880: Directs State Board of Education to rescind New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education and directs boards of education to establish Parental Advisory Committees and adopt standards for health instruction.

This bill would cancel New Jersey's 2020 health and physical education standards and prohibit the State Board of Education from creating new state-level standards in these subjects. It requires each local school district to form a Parental Advisory Committee (made of parents/guardians) to help develop new curriculum standards, with public meetings and online posting of recommendations. Within 180 days of enactment, districts must adopt new standards that include mandatory suicide prevention education and organ donation information for students. The bill shifts authority for setting health education standards from the state to local school boards.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum Student Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SCR 79: Proposes constitutional amendment prohibiting any student from being compelled to attend public school other than one nearest to student's residence.

SCR 79 proposes a constitutional amendment to New Jersey's education system. It would require all public school students to attend the school nearest their residence, located within their school district, and offering their specific course of study. This change would directly affect all K-12 students in New Jersey public schools by restricting school assignments to the closest district school matching their educational program. The amendment must be approved by voters in a future election after the legislature passes it. If adopted, it would amend the state constitution to replace current school attendance rules with this geographic and program-based requirement.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice

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

A 323: "Protecting Legally-Present Youngsters' Limited Educational Resources Act"; requires students who are not U.S. citizens or legal immigrants to pay tuition to attend public schools.

This New Jersey bill (A 323) requires public school districts to charge tuition to students who are not U.S. citizens or legal immigrants, while allowing citizens and legal immigrants to attend free. Specifically, schools must verify a child's citizenship or immigration status before enrollment; students without documentation must pay annual tuition of at least $1,000 per year. Districts must report the number of tuition-paying students and collected funds in school report cards, and post this data online. The bill directly affects non-citizen students, including undocumented children, and aims to shift educational costs away from taxpayers by requiring tuition payments from this group.

Topics ✗ Education ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Higher Education Citizenship & Naturalization DACA & Dreamers Driver Licenses & IDs

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

ACR 107: Urges Department of Education to impose moratorium on new Student Learning Standards.

ACR 107 is a non-binding resolution urging the New Jersey Department of Education to pause the development and implementation of new Student Learning Standards for two years. It directly affects the Department of Education and State Board of Education by requesting a temporary halt to creating new standards, while pending legislative bills about curriculum and learning loss are reviewed. The resolution cites parent concerns about current standards, pandemic-related learning loss, and declining U.S. education rankings as reasons for the pause. It does not change existing standards but asks for a two-year moratorium to allow the Legislature to address related issues.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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

A 742: Repeals law that requires diversity and inclusion instruction for public school students in grades kindergarten through 12.

This bill repeals P.L.2021, c.32, which required New Jersey public school districts to incorporate diversity and inclusion instruction into K-12 curricula as part of the state's learning standards. It removes the mandate for schools to provide this specific type of curriculum content. The repeal takes immediate effect, eliminating the requirement for schools to include such instruction in their teaching. The bill directly affects public school districts and their curriculum planning for all students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 822: Prohibits institution of higher education from using cultural competency as criteria for consideration in making certain personnel determinations.

S 822 prohibits New Jersey public and private institutions of higher education from using a candidate's cultural competency skills or knowledge of specific ethnic/religious groups as criteria in hiring or promotion decisions. The bill directly affects colleges and universities receiving state funding, requiring them to remove these factors from employment reviews. Institutions found non-compliant become ineligible for state operational and capital funding, though exemptions exist for roles where such skills are essential (e.g., diversity officers), determined by the Higher Education Secretary. The law takes immediate effect upon passage.

Topics ✗ Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3247: Provides that any superintendent salary caps adopted by the commissioner will apply to charter school administrators.

This bill (S 3247) extends existing salary caps for school superintendents to charter school administrators. It requires that any salary limits set by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education for traditional school district superintendents (based on district enrollment) must also apply to charter school "lead persons" or other individuals managing charter schools. The bill directly affects charter school administrators by subjecting their compensation to the same caps already used for district superintendents. It amends existing law without creating new caps, simply applying current regulations to charter school leadership. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Education

Sub-Topics School Choice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 820: Prohibits institution of higher education which boycotts or divests from Israel-supporting or Israeli businesses from receiving State funds.

This bill prohibits New Jersey public and private institutions of higher education from receiving state funding if they boycott or divest from Israel-supporting businesses or Israeli businesses. Specifically, it blocks state operating aid, state bond proceeds, and student financial aid for institutions that boycott Israel's goods, boycott entities doing business with Israel, divest due to a company's support of Israel, or participate in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The law excludes divestment for "prudent economic reasons" and applies to all parts of an institution, including endowment funds. The bill takes immediate effect and directly impacts colleges receiving any state education funding.

Topics ✗ Education

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

All education bills