Education (K-12 Education) in New Jersey

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

A 2088: Directs State Board of Education to authorize issuance of new endorsements in certain fields.

This bill directs New Jersey's State Board of Education to create three new teaching certifications: 1) A "Students with Disabilities Preschool through Grade 12" endorsement (excluding blind/visually impaired or deaf/hard of hearing students), allowing teachers to instruct all students with disabilities across all grade levels without separate endorsements. 2) A "Kindergarten through Grade 8" endorsement enabling teachers to instruct grades K-6 and specialty subjects in grades 7-8. 3) A "Bilingual and Bicultural Preschool through Grade 12" endorsement requiring language proficiency and coursework, replacing current requirements that needed separate subject/grade endorsements. These changes primarily affect current and prospective teachers seeking certification in special education, elementary/middle school, and bilingual education, streamlining their qualifications for New Jersey public schools.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education Teachers

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

A 3394: Requires registration and oversight of home education programs.

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.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4486: Requires public institution of higher education to provide academic credit for certain examinations.

This bill (A4486) requires New Jersey public colleges and universities to award academic credit to students who earn a score of 3 or higher on Advanced Placement (AP) exams or 50 or higher on College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) assessments. It applies specifically to students pursuing associate or bachelor's degrees who completed the relevant high school courses/exams before enrolling. Institutions must post their credit policies online, submit them to the Higher Education Secretary, and notify the Secretary 60 days before changing policies. The bill also allows limited exemptions for specific courses if institutions provide data showing different score requirements are needed for student success.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Testing & Assessment

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

A 869: Directs DOE to conduct study concerning student caregivers.

This New Jersey bill requires the Department of Education to study student caregivers in high schools. The study will examine challenges faced by students caring for family members at home, absenteeism rates among these students, and how caregiving impacts graduation rates and college enrollment. Within one year, the Education Commissioner must submit a report with findings and any recommendations for potential support programs. The bill directly affects high school students in public and nonpublic schools who serve as primary caregivers.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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

A 2308: Requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage for enrollment of student in recovery high school alternative education program.

This bill (A 2308) requires New Jersey health insurance carriers to cover enrollment in recovery high school alternative education programs for students with substance use disorders. It directly affects students in these programs and health insurers, mandating coverage when a certified professional (like a counselor or physician) determines it is clinically appropriate based on DSM criteria. The law specifies that this coverage must be provided under the same terms as other medical benefits, without extra copays, deductibles, or limits. It amends existing insurance laws to include this specific benefit for recovery high schools established under P.L.2015, c.254. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Insurance Substance Abuse

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

A 2459: Establishes scholarship program for students at public institutions of higher education pursuing certain community service-oriented opportunities; requires Secretary of Higher Education to establish grant program; appropriates $10 million.

This bill creates a two-year scholarship program for undergraduate students at New Jersey public colleges who commit to community service in climate action, K-12 education, or food insecurity. Students receiving $10,000 scholarships must serve 15 hours weekly in these fields for one academic year and agree to work full-time in related careers after graduation. The bill appropriates $9 million for 900 scholarships ($10,000 each) and $1 million to fund $100,000 grants for 10 public colleges to establish community partnerships supporting these service opportunities. It requires institutions to develop programs offering academic credit, professional development, and connections to community organizations in the targeted fields.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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

A 424: Directs State Board of Education to authorize general science endorsement to instructional certificate.

This bill directs New Jersey's State Board of Education to create a "general science" endorsement for teacher instructional certificates. It allows certified teachers to teach any high school science course (grades 9-12) with this endorsement. To qualify, teachers must hold a science-related bachelor's or master's degree, maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass basic skills and subject-specific tests, and meet other commissioner-set requirements. Current teachers with specific science endorsements (biology, chemistry, etc.) can apply for this broader endorsement if they meet these standards.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3289: Directs Commissioner of Education to develop sexual assault prevention training program for high school athletic directors and coaches of interscholastic sports programs.

S 3289 requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education, with input from the Division of Criminal Justice, to create a sexual assault prevention training program for high school athletic directors and coaches. The program must teach prevention strategies, how to recognize signs of sexual assault, and information about victim services (including medical, legal, and counseling resources) following existing state protocols. All coaches and athletic directors in public and nonpublic high school sports programs must complete this training every four years, with new appointees required to finish it within their first year. The training must be updated periodically to reflect current best practices in sexual assault prevention.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Violent Crime K-12 Education

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

A 1539: "Safe Mobility Education Act"; requires public school instruction on pedestrian, cycling, and motor vehicle safety.

This New Jersey bill (A1539, "Safe Mobility Education Act") requires public schools to teach pedestrian, cycling, and motor vehicle safety to all students in grades K-12. It mandates the State Board of Education to update curriculum standards to include age-appropriate lessons on topics like bike safety rules, helmet use, visibility gear, legal responsibilities, and consequences of traffic violations. School districts must implement this curriculum starting in the first full school year after the standards are updated, and teachers must complete a required professional development module on the topic. The bill directly affects New Jersey public school students, educators, and school districts through mandatory curriculum changes.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education School Transportation Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety

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

A 4204: Establishes pilot program in DOE to use therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs.

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program within New Jersey's Department of Education to study the use of therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs. It directly affects participating school districts that apply to join the program, with the state selecting two districts from each of the southern, central, and northern regions (ensuring urban, suburban, and rural representation). The program requires districts to submit applications detailing their schools, student enrollment, current wellness programs, and plans for integrating therapy dogs. The Department will provide guidance on dog handling, safety, and insurance, and must submit a final report by June 2029 evaluating the program's impact on student attendance, confidence, academic performance, and health outcomes.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

All education bills