N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:8-3.1 - Curriculum and instruction

(a) District boards of education shall ensure that curriculum and instruction are designed and delivered in such a way that all students are able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills specified by the NJSLS and shall ensure that appropriate instructional adaptations are designed and delivered for students with disabilities, for MLs, for students enrolled in alternative education programs, and for students who are gifted and talented.

1. The Department shall provide district boards of education with Standards support materials that suggest a variety of activities and strategies that may assist in the development of local curricula aligned with the NJSLS.

2. District boards of education shall encourage the active involvement of representatives from the community, business, industry, labor, and higher education in the development of educational programs aligned with the NJSLS.

3. District boards of education shall be responsible for assessing and publicly reporting on the progress of all students in developing the knowledge and skills specified by the NJSLS, including civics, financial literacy, and all content areas not currently included in the Statewide assessment program.

4. District boards of education shall provide all students with disabilities an educational program aligned with the NJSLS, as well as the required individualized accommodations, instructional adaptations, and/or modifications as specified in a student's IEP or 504 plan.

5. District boards of education shall be responsible for identifying gifted and talented students and shall provide them with appropriate instructional adaptations and services.

i. District boards of education shall make provisions for an ongoing K-12 identification process for gifted and talented students that includes multiple measures.

ii. District boards of education shall provide appropriate kindergarten-through-grade-12 (K-12) educational services for gifted and talented students.

iii. District boards of education shall develop appropriate curricular and instructional modifications used for gifted and talented students indicating content, process, products, and learning environment.

iv. District boards of education shall take into consideration the Pre-K-Grade 12 Gifted Programming Standards of the National Association for Gifted Children in developing programs for gifted and talented students.

6. District boards of education shall actively assist and support professional development for teachers, educational services staff, and school leaders, including their efforts to meet mandatory professional development requirements specified in N.J.A.C. 6A:9-15 and 16.

i. District boards of education shall facilitate the development and implementation by school leaders of professional growth plans aligned with the requirements set forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:9.

7. District boards of education shall be responsible for developing for MLs English language assistance programs that are aligned to the NJSLS and the English language development standards.

(b) District boards of education shall be responsible for the delivery of educational programs at the elementary and secondary levels using a coherent sequence of activities to prepare all students for college and careers upon their graduation. Examples of such programs include, but are not limited to, academic programs, career and technical education programs, and/or magnet programs.

1. District boards of education shall implement educational programs that prepare all students for success in college and careers, including the kindergarten through grade eight development of academic skills integral to success in high school courses.

2. District boards of education of school districts that include students in at least two of the grades from six through 12 shall develop opportunities for personalization that strengthen relationships among students, teachers, staff members, families, and the larger community for students in grades six through 12.

(c) District boards of education shall be responsible for the review and continuous improvement of curriculum and instruction based upon changes in knowledge, technology, assessment results, and modifications to the NJSLS, according to N.J.A.C. 6A:8-2.

1. District boards of education shall include interdisciplinary connections throughout the K-12 curriculum.

2. District boards of education shall integrate into the curriculum 21st century themes and skills.

3. District boards of education shall provide the time and resources to develop, review, and enhance inter-disciplinary connections, supportive curricula, and instructional tools for helping students acquire required knowledge and skills. The tools include, but are not limited to:

i. A pacing guide;

ii. A list of core instructional materials, including various levels of texts at each grade level;

iii. Benchmark assessments; and

iv. Modifications for special education students, for MLs in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:15, for students at risk of school failure, and for gifted students.

(d) District boards of education shall establish procedures whereby any student whose parent or guardian presents to the school principal a signed statement that any or part of the instruction in health, family life education, or sex education is in conflict with his or her conscience or sincerely held moral or religious beliefs shall be excused from that part of the course where such instruction is being given and, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.7, no penalties shall result.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:8-3.1

Administrative Change, 48 N.J.R. 1802(a). Amended by 53 N.J.R. 1676(a), effective 10/4/2021 Administrative Change, 56 N.J.R. 890(a) effective 4/22/2024