Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Assemblywoman LINDA S. CARTER
District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Requires school districts to include instruction on conflict resolution as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the public school curriculum and supplementing chapter 35 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 board of education shall include instruction on conflict resolution in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12 as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. The instruction shall include information on:
(1) conflict resolution skills, including methods of diffusing conflict situations and resolving differences amicably;
(2) the mediation process;
(3) awareness of, and respect for, different cultures, beliefs, religions, races, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations, including the connection between this respect and awareness and one’s ability to empathize and exhibit compassion for others;
(4) effective communication techniques;
(5) establishing and maintaining positive social relationships;
(6) effectively managing emotions during conflict situations;
(7) making responsible decisions; and
(8) the correlation between conflict and violence, including gun violence.
b. The Commissioner of Education shall provide school districts with age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources designed to implement the requirement established pursuant to subsection a. of this section.
2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall first apply to the first full school year following the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill requires each board of education to include instruction on conflict resolution in an appropriate place in the curriculum of students in grades kindergarten through 12 as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. The instruction would include information on: conflict resolution skills, including methods of diffusing conflict situations and resolving differences amicably; the mediation process; awareness of, and respect for, different cultures, beliefs, religions, races, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations, including the connection between this respect and awareness and one’s ability to empathize and exhibit compassion for others; effective communication techniques; establishing and maintaining positive social relationships; effectively managing emotions during conflict situations; making responsible decisions; and the correlation between conflict and violence, including gun violence.
Under the bill, the Commissioner of Education would provide school districts with age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources designed to implement the requirement to include instruction on conflict resolution.