Signed by Governor Phil Murphy

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with amendments and pass a bill that requires school districts to include instruction on diversity and inclusion as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Highlights:

• Establishes that beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, each school district is to incorporate instruction on diversity and inclusion in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12 as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (Sec. 1).

• Establishes that the instruction is to incorporate the following (Sec. 1):

• Highlight and promote diversity, including economic diversity, equity, inclusion, tolerance, and belonging in connection with gender and sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, disabilities, and religious tolerance;

• Examine the impact that unconscious bias and economic disparities have at both an individual level and on society as a whole; and

• Encourage safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for all students regardless of race or ethnicity, sexual and gender identities, mental and physical disabilities, and religious beliefs.

• Specifies that the Commissioner of Education is to provide school districts with sample learning activities and resources designed to promote diversity and inclusion (Sec. 1).

• Establishes that this act is to take effect immediately (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that requires school districts to include instruction on diversity and inclusion as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Highlights:

• Establishes that beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, each school district is to incorporate instruction on diversity and inclusion in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12 as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (Sec. 1).

• Establishes that the instruction is to incorporate the following (Sec. 1):

• Highlight and promote diversity, including economic diversity, equity, inclusion, tolerance, and belonging in connection with gender and sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, disabilities, and religious tolerance;

• Examine the impact that unconscious bias and economic disparities have at both an individual level and on society as a whole; and

• Encourage safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for all students regardless of race or ethnicity, sexual and gender identities, mental and physical disabilities, and religious beliefs.

• Specifies that the Commissioner of Education is to provide school districts with sample learning activities and resources designed to promote diversity and inclusion (Sec. 1).

• Establishes that this act is to take effect immediately (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text