Government Relations
NJPSA is your representative before the U.S. Congress, State Legislature, Governor’s Office, State Board of education and other federal and state agencies on all issues affecting the quality of public education in the state. NJPSA’s Government Relations (GR) staff analyzes, monitors, and participates in the legislative and regulatory process advocating on your behalf on proposed legislation, code provisions, and policies affecting public schools and school leaders.
The GR staff develops association positions and advocacy priorities through direct interaction with NJPSA members through NJPSA committees, member surveys, and meetings. By developing trusting relationships with the decision makers at all levels of government, the GR staff has access to those who ultimately write, pass, and uphold legislation that affect YOU, your staff, and your school. NJPSA’s GR team communicates these views formally through official testimony during legislative committee hearings and Board meetings, as well as informally through conversations with State and federal lawmakers.
Through NJPSA’s Political Action Committee (NJPSA-PAC), which is funded through member contributions, your Government Relations team is able to maintain a strong and consistent presence with our State Legislature, providing political contributions to help support elected officials who support educational leaders, students, and schools. The NJPSA does not endorse candidates.
NJPSA Action and Updates
New Jersey State Board of Education Considers Significant Changes to Evaluation Code, Announces Public Testimony Sessions on New Student Learning Standards
New Proposal for Chapter 10 Educator Effectiveness At the New Jersey State Board of Education meeting on February 5th, 2020, the Department proposed additional amendments to Chapter 10, “Educator Effectiveness”. Back in [...]
Final Wrap Up of the 218th Legislative Session: Education Bills
By 12 Noon on Tuesday of this week, Governor Murphy had to act on hundreds of bills that were sent to him at the end of the session by both houses of the Legislature. [...]
Lame Duck Session Round Up – What Education Legislation Was Passed , Vetoed, or Pocket Vetoed at the Close of the 218 Legislative Session
The time period following Election Day until the closing day of a two-year legislative session (January 14, 2020) is generally known as the Lame Duck session, or as we in Government Relations fondly refer [...]
NJPSA Statement Concerning Proposed Notice of Substantial Change to Standards and Assessment Code N.J.A.C. 6A: 8
Thank you for the opportunity to share the perspective of the membership of the NJ Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA) on proposed changes to the NJ Standards and Assessment code as contained in the [...]
NJ State Board of Education Considers NJ State Perkins v Plan, State Results for 2019 Nation’s Report Card
The New Jersey State Board of Education convened on Wednesday, November 6th for their regular monthly meeting which focused on national testing results and vocational education. An anticipated release of a Charter School Report [...]
Special NJPSA Update: The State of Assessment in NJ – (This Week!)
By Debra Bradley, Esq. October 10, 2019 This special alert is part of NJPSA’s effort to keep our members informed and engaged on the latest news and policy developments in education. On October 2, [...]
Your School Library Media Specialist – Your School’s Utility Player
As you start the school year, consider the ways that you can maximize the use of your school librarian. Your school librarian is your school’s utility player. A utility player is one that can [...]
NJPSA/FEA Celebrates Arts in Education Week and Showcases Exceptional Student Artwork
For the third consecutive year, NJPSA is proudly displaying some of New Jersey’s finest student artwork in the hallways of the FEA Conference Center. This traveling exhibit, which was showcased at the NJ State [...]
New Law Discussion: NJDOE Disabled and LGBTQ Working Group Curriculum Meeting
On January 31, 2019, Governor Murphy signed P.L. 2019, c.6 into law. This legislation requires boards of education to include instruction on the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, [...]
New Law Alert: Governor Takes Action on Legislation Requiring Mental Health Education and Testing A Later Start Time for High School Students
P.L.2019, c.222 (S-2861) requires all New Jersey public schools to include mental health instruction in grades K through 12 health curriculums. The bill aims to enhance student understanding, attitudes, and behaviors related to mental health [...]