NJ Inclusive Legislation

Holocaust/Genocide Education (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-28)

In 1994, the legislature voted unanimously in favor of an act requiring education on the Holocaust and genocide in elementary and secondary education and it was subsequently signed into law by Governor Whitman.  The law indicates that issues of bias, prejudice, and bigotry, including bullying through the teaching of the Holocaust and genocide, shall be included for all children from K-12th grade.  Because this is a law and in statute, any changes in standards would not impact the requirement of education on this topic in all New Jersey public schools.

1. Every board of education shall include instruction on the Holocaust and genocides in an appropriate place in the curriculum of all elementary and secondary school pupils.

2. The instruction shall enable pupils to identify and analyze applicable theories concerning human nature and behavior; to understand that genocide is a consequence of prejudice and discrimination, and to understand that issues of moral dilemma and conscience have a profound impact on life. The instruction shall further emphasize the personal responsibility that each citizen bears to fight racism and hatred whenever and wherever it happens.

The Amistad Bill (A1301)

The Amistad Bill which became law in 2002, calls on New Jersey schools to incorporate African-American history into their social studies curriculum. This legislation also created the Amistad Commission, a 23-member body charged with ensuring that African-American history, contributions, and experiences are adequately taught in the state’s classrooms.

1. To infuse the history of Africans and African-Americans into the social studies curriculum in order to provide an accurate, complete, and inclusive history.

2. To ensure that New Jersey teachers are equipped to effectively teach the revised social studies core curriculum content standards.

3. To create and coordinate workshops, seminars, institutes, memorials, and events which raise public awareness about the importance of the history of African-Americans to the growth and development of American society in a global context.

LGBTQ and People with Disabilities (A1335)

This bill requires boards of education to include instruction, and adopt instructional materials, in an appropriate place, that accurately portray the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

1. A board of education shall include instruction on the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, in an appropriate place in the curriculum of middle school and high school students as part of the district’s implementation of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Social Studies.

2. When adopting instructional materials for use in the schools of the district, a board of education shall only adopt instructional materials which, in its determination, accurately portray the cultural and economic diversity of society including the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

Diversity and Inclusion (A4454)

This bill requires school districts to provide instruction on diversity and inclusion in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students in grades K-12, as part of the implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. The instruction will:

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; 

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

3. encourage safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for all students regardless of race or ethnicity, sexual and gender identities, mental and physical disabilities, socioeconomic status, and religious beliefs. 

Under the bill, the Commissioner of Education will provide school districts with sample learning activities and resources designed to promote diversity and inclusion. 

Asian American and Pacific Islander (A6100)

This bill requires school districts to provide instruction on the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders as part of the implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies for students in grades kindergarten through 12. 

1. A board of education shall include instruction on the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in an appropriate p lace in the curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12 as part of the school district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies. 

2. When adopting instructional materials for use in the school district, a board of education shall adopt inclusive instructional materials that portray the cultural and economic diversity of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.