Every three years, under what is called the Comprehensive Equity Plan, the U.S. Department of Education requires states to assess their public school districts to ensure their policies promote equitable employment and classroom practices and do not permit discrimination. This year, to comply with those requirements, the NJ Department of Education has required many districts to update policies.

In our continuing efforts to facilitate district and charter schools’ compliance with the requirements of the Comprehensive Equity Plan, the New Jersey School Boards Association is reviewing all the policies related to equity in the Critical Policy Reference Manual, and making appropriate changes. The following policies in the Critical Policy Reference Manual have been updated:

4113/4114 Assignment and Transfer (Certified Staff) – the last sentence was added to affirm the district commitment to nondiscrimination. 

4213/4214 Assignment and Transfer (Noncertified Staff) – the last sentence was added to affirm the district commitment to nondiscrimination. 

6146.2 Promotion and Retention – the bullets were revised and content added regarding the required services to English Language Learners.

6164.4 Guidance Services – paragraph 2 was added regarding equitable access to guidance services.

6171.1 Remedial Instruction – paragraph 4 was added regarding parent notification and other minor changes.

6171.2 Gifted and Talented – the last sentence was added regarding minority and female student representation and other minor changes.

To view the updated policies go to visit NJSBA’s website, click on the Critical Policy Reference Manual (CPRM) and log in. The Policy Update List is under the tab for the CPRM. You may also contact Policy Services at [email protected] to have the policies emailed directly to you.