Bill Text: NJ S419 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Removes diversity and inclusion instruction requirements for students in grades kindergarten through eight.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee [S419 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-S419-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH PENNACCHIO
District 26 (Morris and Passaic)
Senator MICHAEL L. TESTA, JR.
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Removes diversity and inclusion instruction requirements for students in grades kindergarten through eight.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning diversity and inclusion instruction in school districts and amending P.L.2021, c.32.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2021, c.32 (C.18A:35-4.36a) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, each school district shall incorporate instruction on diversity and inclusion in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students in grades [kindergarten] 9 through 12 as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
b. The instruction shall:
(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, and religious beliefs.
c. The Commissioner of Education shall provide school districts with sample learning activities and resources designed to promote diversity and inclusion.
(cf: P.L.2021, c.32)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill removes the requirement that school districts provide instruction on diversity and inclusion in the curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through eight as part of the implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. This bill also removes the requirement that the instruction on diversity and inclusion includes an examination of the impact that unconscious bias has at both an individual level and on society as a whole.
Current law requires that school districts provide instruction on diversity and inclusion in the curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12. Additionally, current law requires that school districts incorporate unconscious bias in the instruction on
diversity and inclusion.
