New Law Discussion: NJDOE Disabled and LGBTQ Working Group Curriculum Meeting

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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, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, in an appropriate place in the curriculum of middle school and high school students as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

The requirements of the law will apply starting with the 2020-2021 school year. In response, the NJ Department of Education convened a working group to begin to develop resources for school districts to leverage as they develop their curricula.   The working group met for the first time on Monday August 19th.  A diverse group of educators, advocates and stakeholders convened for several hours to help identify not only appropriate resources, but potential challenges that districts might face, as they develop their curricula and create policies and procedures to comply with this new law.

The group is expected to meet again as it continues to fulfill its mission of ensuring that every student in a New Jersey public school is able to see themselves in our rich and diverse history. The NJPSA Government Relations team was on-hand at the meeting and is available to answer questions or provide additional information about P.L. 2019, c.6.