A 3394 S 237  S 854 

S 237 – Requires new civics instruction in middle and high schools; requires school districts to use DOE’s curriculum guidelines for civics; and requires DOE to provide funding to enhance civics instruction

A 3394/S 854 – “Laura Wooten’s Law”; Requires civics instruction in middle school; authorizes New Jersey Center for Civic Education to provide curricula, professional development and technical assistance for middle and high school civics and provides annual center funding

A 3394 (Reynolds-Jackson, Carter, Jasey) S 237 (Singleton, Greenstein)  S 854 (Turner, Kean) NJEA has always supported civics, as it has been infused throughout the social studies standards.  However, we have never supported the addition of a standalone course in civics, as statewide curriculum requirements did not have space for a separate course.  The events of this past January show that students need a stronger background in civics.  A middle schools course on civics will give it more importance in earlier grades, making the continued study of civics, even though it will not be a separate course, more meaningful in high school.  New Social Studies standards adopted by the NJ Department of Education in June 2020 place more of an emphasis on civics. and the NJDOE moved areas of study for grades 6-8 to make the time for a middle school civics course.  With these changes, NJEA supports these bills.

NJEA urges you to SUPPORT S237 and A3394/S854.