Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblyman ANTHONY S. VERRELLI
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Caputo and Simonsen
SYNOPSIS
Requires school district to develop resource guide on virtual or remote instruction for students and families.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning virtual or remote instruction in public schools and supplementing chapter 36 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. A school district that utilizes virtual or remote instruction, or a combination of in-person and virtual or remote instruction, shall develop a resource guide for students and their parents or guardians on effectively participating in virtual or remote instruction. The resource guide shall be in one or more foreign languages in addition to English and shall address, but not be limited to:
(1) basic computer literacy, including instruction on word processing, Internet navigation, and use of e-mail;
(2) accessing and operating the specific virtual or remote instruction application or platform utilized by the district, including information on how to manage documents and assignments, interface with teachers and other students, and access school announcements; and
(3) the potential negative consequences that the Internet and social media can have on the physical and emotional health of students, including incidents of cyber-bullying, or other disruptive or violent behaviors.
b. Within 45 days of the effective date of this act, each school district shall post the resource guide on its website in a prominent and easily accessible location and shall distribute the resource guide to parents and guardians who have children enrolled in the school district whenever the school district initially determines to utilize virtual or remote instruction, or a combination of in-person and virtual or remote instruction, during a school year. The school district shall also provide a copy of the resource guide to a parent or guardian upon request. The school district shall update the resource guide as necessary, including whenever any changes are made to the specific virtual or remote instruction application or platform utilized by the district.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires school districts that utilize virtual or remote instruction, or a combination of in-person and virtual or remote instruction, to develop a resource guide for students and their parents or guardians on how to effectively participate in virtual or remote instruction. Under the bill, the resource guide must be in one or more foreign languages in addition to English and would address, but not be limited to:
· basic computer literacy, including instruction on word processing, Internet navigation, and use of e-mail;
· accessing and operating the specific virtual or remote instruction application or platform utilized by the district, including information on how to manage documents and assignments, interface with teachers and other students, and access school announcements; and
· the potential negative consequences that the Internet and social media can have on the physical and emotional health of students, including incidents of cyber-bullying, or other disruptive or violent behaviors.
The bill provides that, within 45 days of its effective date, each school district must post the resource guide on its website in a prominent and easily accessible location, and provide a copy to parents and guardians of students whenever the school district initially determines to utilize virtual or remote instruction, or a combination of in-person and virtual or remote instruction, during a school year. The school district is required to update the resource guide as necessary, including whenever any changes are made to the specific virtual or remote instruction application or platform utilized by the district.