Students throughout New Jersey will soon see contributions that Latino and Hispanic people have made throughout history as part of required learning in the state’s Social Studies education programs.
On Monday, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation that, as detailed by a statement on the bill, will require the New Jersey Board of Education “to adopt New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies, ensuring that the rich contributions, history, and heritage of Latino and Hispanic people are taught in K-12 schools.”
The move, Murphy’s office said in a statement, would help “ensure that New Jersey’s students receive a holistic education that reflects the strength and diversity of the Garden State.”
Under the bill, officials said, a community’s board of education would be required to include instruction on the history and contributions of Hispanics and Latinos in Social Studies curriculums from kindergarten through 12th grade.
“Through today’s bill signing, we are cementing the legacy of New Jersey’s Latino and Hispanic communities,” said Governor Phil Murphy in a statement. “I am especially proud to sign this bill during Hispanic Heritage Month, ensuring that the contributions of our Hispanic and Latino communities are taught in our nation-leading public education system. By teaching students about their neighbors, we are raising a more informed next generation of future leaders in the Garden State.”
The instruction, the legislation notes, is to be historically accurate, culturally relevant, community-based, and developmentally appropriate.
“New Jersey’s learning standards require instruction that reflects the diversity of our communities and our cultural heritage,” said New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer in a statement. “Codifying Hispanic and Latino history instruction into law is an important extension of that commitment. The Department will work in partnership with the Commission on Latino and Hispanic Heritage to provide districts with resources that support effective implementation of this requirement, ensuring that students receive a comprehensive understanding of our collective history.”
Under the bill, officials said, the Commissioner of Education, in collaboration with the Commission on Latino and Hispanic Heritage, will provide school districts with sample learning activities and resources that may be used to support implementation of the updated instructional requirements.
These topics will be incorporated in the next required review of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, which, the governor’s office said is currently underway.
School districts will implement the new instruction requirement beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, according to the governor’s office.