LGBT and disability inclusion bill passes Senate and Assembly

A bill that was passed by the Assembly on Dec. 17 requires school districts in New Jersey to provide 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. It had previously passed in the Senate on June 25. The law specifies that the content be included as part of each district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in social studies.

The bill also provides that when adopting instructional materials for use in the schools of the district, a board of education may only adopt instructional materials that accurately portray the cultural and economic diversity of society including the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

This bill is modeled on a law adopted in California, the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful Education (FAIR) Act, which took effect in 2012.  The state of California is currently engaged in developing textbooks and other instructional materials that incorporate information on the political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.  Upon their completion, these materials will be available to assist school districts in New Jersey in meeting the requirements of the bill.

As of press time, the bill awaited Gov. Phil Murphy’s signature.

In anticipation of his signature, Make it Better for Youth: the Monmouth County Consortium for LGBTQ Youth, is seeking volunteers to assist in providing resources to curriculum writers.

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