ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4545

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 22, 2020

      The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4545 with committee amendments.

     As amended, this bill would require school districts to provide to middle school students instruction on racial discrimination and social justice in an appropriate place in the curriculum of middle school students as part of the districts’ implementation of the New Jersey Learning Standards in Social Studies.  Under the bill, the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Amistad Commission, will provide school districts with age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources designed to enhance students’ overall understanding of issues surrounding racial discrimination and social justice.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to remove requirements under the bill to include instruction on certain events in United States history.  The committee also amended the bill to provide that the Commissioner of Education will work in consultation with the Amistad Commission in providing school districts with age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources designed to enhance students’ overall understanding of issues surrounding racial discrimination and social justice.