STATE OF NEW JERSEY
218th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2018 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman JOANN DOWNEY
District 11 (Monmouth)
Assemblywoman ANNETTE CHAPARRO
District 33 (Hudson)
Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen McKeon, Karabinchak, Assemblywoman Timberlake and Assemblyman Peterson
SYNOPSIS
Requires course in civics or U.S. government as part of high school graduation requirements; requires school districts to use DOE’s curriculum guidelines for civics.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Education Committee with technical review.
An Act concerning civics and government instruction in high school, amending P.L.1987, c.425, and supplementing chapter 7C of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.1987, c.425 (C.18A:35-2.1) is amended to read as follows:
1. The State Department of Education shall prepare curriculum guidelines for the teaching of civics which [may] shall be used by local school boards in fulfilling the requirements established pursuant to N.J.S.18A:35-1 and N.J.S.18A:35-2.
(cf: P.L.1987, c.425, s.1)
2. (New section) Beginning with the 2020-2021 grade nine class, the State Board of Education shall require that the local graduation requirements adopted by a board of education include, as part of the total credit requirement in social studies, at least one course in civics or United States government.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.