Statutory Curricular Requirements
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Statutory Curricular Requirements
The New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) provide clear and consistent learning goals
across distinct content areas to help prepare students for postsecondary success. The NJSLS
demonstrate what students are expected to learn at specific grade levels and bands, so that every
parent and teacher can understand and support learning. The NJSLS offer the foundation on
which school districts build coherent curriculum and plan instruction to prepare each student
with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.
The New Jersey State Board of Education adopts the NJSLS and the New Jersey statutes require
instruction to be part of the school district’s implementation of the NJSLS. The following
statutes that require instruction to be part of the school district’s implementation of the NJSLS
include:
1. Accident and Fire Prevention (N.J.S.A. 18A:6-2) requires regular courses of
instruction in accident and fire prevention.
2. Breast Self-Examination (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-5.4) requires offering instruction on
breast self-examination for students in grades seven through twelve.
3. Bullying Prevention Programs (N.J.S.A. 18A:37-17) requires the establishment of
bullying prevention programs.
4. Cancer Awareness (N.J.S.A. 18A:40-33) requires the development of a school
program on cancer awareness by the Commissioner of Education.
across distinct content areas to help prepare students for postsecondary success. The NJSLS
demonstrate what students are expected to learn at specific grade levels and bands, so that every
parent and teacher can understand and support learning. The NJSLS offer the foundation on
which school districts build coherent curriculum and plan instruction to prepare each student
with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.
The New Jersey State Board of Education adopts the NJSLS and the New Jersey statutes require
instruction to be part of the school district’s implementation of the NJSLS. The following
statutes that require instruction to be part of the school district’s implementation of the NJSLS
include:
1. Accident and Fire Prevention (N.J.S.A. 18A:6-2) requires regular courses of
instruction in accident and fire prevention.
2. Breast Self-Examination (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-5.4) requires offering instruction on
breast self-examination for students in grades seven through twelve.
3. Bullying Prevention Programs (N.J.S.A. 18A:37-17) requires the establishment of
bullying prevention programs.
4. Cancer Awareness (N.J.S.A. 18A:40-33) requires the development of a school
program on cancer awareness by the Commissioner of Education.
5. Dating Violence Education (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.23a) requires instruction
regarding dating violence in grades seven through twelve.
6. Domestic Violence Education (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.23) allows instruction on
problems related to domestic violence and child abuse.
7. Gang Violence Prevention (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.26) requires instruction in gang
violence prevention for elementary school students.
8. Health, Safety, and Physical Education (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-5) requires that all
students in grades one through twelve participate in at least two and one-half
hours of health, safety, and physical education each school week.
9. Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco, Controlled Dangerous Substances, and Anabolic
Steroids (N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-1) requires instructional programs on drugs, alcohol,
anabolic steroids, tobacco, and controlled dangerous substances and the
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development of curriculum guidelines for each grade Kindergarten through
twelve.
10. Lyme Disease Prevention (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-5.1 through 18A:35-5.3) requires the
development of Lyme disease curriculum guidelines for the teaching of
information on the prevention of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases.
11. Organ Donation (N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-4.3) requires information relative to organ
donation to be given to students in grades nine through twelve.
12. Sexual Assault Prevention (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.3) requires the development of a
sexual assault prevention education program by the Commissioner of Education
for utilization by school districts.
13. Stress Abstinence (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.19 through 18A:35-4.22), also known as
the “AIDS Prevention Act of 1999,” requires sex education programs to stress
abstinence.
twelve.
10. Lyme Disease Prevention (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-5.1 through 18A:35-5.3) requires the
development of Lyme disease curriculum guidelines for the teaching of
information on the prevention of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases.
11. Organ Donation (N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-4.3) requires information relative to organ
donation to be given to students in grades nine through twelve.
12. Sexual Assault Prevention (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.3) requires the development of a
sexual assault prevention education program by the Commissioner of Education
for utilization by school districts.
13. Stress Abstinence (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.19 through 18A:35-4.22), also known as
the “AIDS Prevention Act of 1999,” requires sex education programs to stress
abstinence.
14. Suicide Prevention (N.J.S.A. 18A:6-111 through 18A:6-113) requires instruction
in suicide prevention in public schools.
15. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
(N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.28 and 18A:35-4.29) requires public high schools and charter
schools to provide instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an
automated external defibrillator to each student prior to graduation.
16. Sexually Explicit Images through Electronic Means (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.32 and
18A:35-4.33) requires instruction, once during middle school, on the social,
emotional, and legal consequences of distributing and soliciting sexually explicit
images through electronic means.
17. History of Disabled and LGBT Persons (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.35 and 18A:35-4.36)
requires instruction on the political, economic, and social contributions of persons
with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people for middle and
high school students.
18. Financial Literacy (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.34) requires instruction with basic
financial literacy necessary for sound financial decision-making in each of the
grades six through eight.
19. Sexual Abuse and Assault Awareness and Prevention Education (N.J.S.A.
18A:35-4.5a) requires age-appropriate sexual abuse and assault awareness and
prevention education in grades preschool through twelve.
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20. Curriculum to Include Instruction on Diversity and Inclusion (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-
4.36a) requires instruction on diversity and inclusion in an appropriate place in
the curriculum for students in grades Kindergarten through twelve.
20. Curriculum to Include Instruction on Diversity and Inclusion (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-
4.36a) requires instruction on diversity and inclusion in an appropriate place in
the curriculum for students in grades Kindergarten through twelve.
21. Incorporation of Age-Appropriate Instruction Relative to Consent for Physical
Contact and Sexual Activity (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.38) requires age-appropriate
instruction in grades six through twelve on the law and meaning of consent for
physical contact and sexual activity.
22. Health Curriculum to Include Instruction on Mental Health (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-
4.39) requires health education programs to include instruction on mental health
and the relation of physical and mental health for students in grades Kindergarten
through twelve.
23. Information About “New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act” Included in
Public School Curriculum (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.40) requires information on the
provisions of the “New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act” shall be
included in curriculum for public school students in grades nine through twelve.
24. Infusion of African American Accomplishments into School Curricula (N.J.S.A.
18A:35-4.43) requires in the curriculum for all elementary and secondary students
instruction that infuses into all courses on the United States the centuries of
accomplishments by African Americans in the building and development of
America.
25. Asian American, Pacific Islander History, Contributions; Instruction Included in
Curriculum (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.44) requires instruction on the history and
contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in an appropriate place in
the curriculum of students in grades Kindergarten through twelve as part of the
district’s implementation of the NJSLS in Social Studies.
26. Any other statutory or administrative codes requiring instruction to be part of the
district’s implementation of the NJSLS.
In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.7, any student whose parent presents to
the Principal a signed statement that any part of the instruction in health, family life education, or
sex education is in conflict with their conscience or sincerely held moral or religious beliefs shall
be excused from that portion of the course where such instruction is being given and no penalties
as to credit or graduation shall result.
The Board must provide two and one-half hours of health, safety, and physical education courses
in each school week, or proportionately less when holidays fall within the week. Recess
period(s) shall not be used to meet the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:35-5, 7, and 8.
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.31, the Board shall provide a daily recess period of at
least twenty minutes for students in grades Kindergarten through five. A recess period is not
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required on a school day in which the day is substantially shortened due to a delayed opening or
early dismissal. The recess period shall be outdoors, if feasible. A student shall not be denied
recess for any reason, except as a consequence of a violation of the school district’s Code of
Student Conduct, including a harassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB) investigation pursuant
to N.J.S.A. 18A:37-13 et seq. Students may not be denied recess more than twice per week for a
violation of the Code of Student Conduct or HIB investigation and these students shall be
provided restorative justice activities during the recess period.
Restorative justice activities are defined as activities designed to improve the socioemotional and
behavioral responses of students through the use of more appropriate and less punitive
interventions thereby establishing a more supportive and inclusive school culture. The student’s
recess period should be scheduled in a manner that does not interfere with the implementation of
a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). School staff may deny recess for a student
on the advice of a medical professional, school nurse, or the provisions of a student’s IEP and/or
504 Plan.
A copy of the NJSLS and all related curriculum/course guides and instructional material shall be
available for public inspection.
Revised: 20 November 2025
required on a school day in which the day is substantially shortened due to a delayed opening or
early dismissal. The recess period shall be outdoors, if feasible. A student shall not be denied
recess for any reason, except as a consequence of a violation of the school district’s Code of
Student Conduct, including a harassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB) investigation pursuant
to N.J.S.A. 18A:37-13 et seq. Students may not be denied recess more than twice per week for a
violation of the Code of Student Conduct or HIB investigation and these students shall be
provided restorative justice activities during the recess period.
Restorative justice activities are defined as activities designed to improve the socioemotional and
behavioral responses of students through the use of more appropriate and less punitive
interventions thereby establishing a more supportive and inclusive school culture. The student’s
recess period should be scheduled in a manner that does not interfere with the implementation of
a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). School staff may deny recess for a student
on the advice of a medical professional, school nurse, or the provisions of a student’s IEP and/or
504 Plan.
A copy of the NJSLS and all related curriculum/course guides and instructional material shall be
available for public inspection.
Revised: 20 November 2025