New Jersey Assembly Bill A370

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Requires public schools to post curriculum plans online; requires school districts to make textbooks or other materials used in implementing curriculum plans available for inspection by parents and legal guardians.

Impact

The bill is intended to foster greater collaboration and communication between educators and the families of students. By making curriculum information readily accessible, the legislation aims to enhance parental involvement in the education process. This could lead to more informed discussions between parents and teachers, as well as a better understanding of the educational framework within which their children are learning. In line with this, the schools are also obligated to update their online curriculum plans whenever revisions occur, thereby ensuring that parents have the latest information.

Summary

Assembly Bill A370 introduces a mandate for public schools in New Jersey to improve transparency regarding their curricular plans. Specifically, it requires that each school district post detailed curriculum information online at least 30 days before the school year starts. This includes the curriculum plans for each course across all grade levels, outlining relevant units of study, learning objectives, and the textbooks or materials that will be utilized in conjunction with those plans. The expectation is to provide parents and legal guardians with access to these materials so they can review them ahead of their implementation in classrooms.

Contention

While the bill seems to have benevolent intentions, there could be contentious aspects regarding the implementation and the level of detail required. Some educators may argue that onerous posting requirements might divert valuable time and resources away from teaching. Furthermore, there may be debates about the specific information to be included and the burden it might place on school districts to keep these digital resources continually updated. Additionally, there could be differing opinions on how best to engage parents without overwhelming them with excessive information, potentially leading to discrepancies in understanding across different parent populations.