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Bill

S 4371

Establishes State Seal of Civic Engagement Pilot Program.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Raj Mukherji

Establishes a two-year State Seal of Civic Engagement for high school graduates who meet civics coursework, a passing civic literacy assessment, and 10 hours of verified community

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee
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Bill Summary · S 4371

Summary of Bill S 4371 (New Jersey, Session 222)

Purpose

Establish a two-year State Seal of Civic Engagement Pilot Program within the Department of Education to recognize high school graduates who demonstrate strong civic knowledge, skills, and applied engagement.

Key Provisions

  • Creation of the Pilot Program

    • A two-year pilot program to establish a State Seal of Civic Engagement.
    • The seal is awarded by the local board of education to eligible graduating high school seniors.

  • Eligibility Criteria (to be defined by State Board of Education)

    • Must complete a United States Government, Civics, or Advanced Placement Government course with a grade of B- or higher.
    • Must achieve a passing score on a State-approved Civic Literacy Assessment modeled on the AP Government exam.
    • Must complete at least 10 hours of verified community service or civic engagement activities that benefit the public and promote participation in community or democratic practices. Activities may include volunteer work with nonprofits, service-learning projects, participation in community initiatives, or other district-approved activities.

  • Participation of School Districts

    • School districts may apply to participate; the Commissioner of Education selects five districts for the pilot.
    • Selection must include at least one district from each of the northern, central, and southern regions and should reflect urban, suburban, and rural representation.
    • Participating districts receive grants to cover pilot costs; grant amounts to be determined by the Commissioner.
    • Grants and program funding may be supported by state appropriations and potential additional funding from federal or private civic education entities.

  • Implementation and Oversight

    • Each participating district must designate a school administrator, educator, or guidance counselor to verify that a student meets the criteria.
    • The Department of Education will issue guidance, identify an exam to fulfill the Civic Literacy Assessment requirement, and maintain a record of participating districts.
    • The department may collaborate with civic education organizations and higher education institutions.

  • Certification and Transcript Recognition

    • The Commissioner will issue a certificate and provide an insignia to be affixed to the student’s transcript indicating receipt of the State Seal of Civic Engagement.
    • Participating districts must maintain records identifying eligible students and must affix the certificate and transcript insignia accordingly.

  • Reporting and Evaluation

    • At the conclusion of the pilot, the Commissioner must submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature (as required by law) detailing:
    • The number of students awarded the seal.
    • Recommendations on expanding the program to all New Jersey school districts.

Effective Date and Scope

  • Effective Date: Immediately upon enactment.
  • First Application: Applies to students graduating in the first full school year following enactment.
  • Statutory Basis: Supplements Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

Potential Impact

  • Creates formal recognition for students demonstrating civic literacy and engagement.
  • Encourages civic education through coursework, literacy assessment, and community service.
  • Provides a limited, controlled pathway to scale a statewide civics recognition program based on pilot results.
  • Requires coordination among districts, the state Department of Education, and civic organizations.
  • May influence future curricular emphasis on civics and community involvement in high schools.

Additional Details

  • The bill includes administrative provisions such as records maintenance, guidance issuance, and eligibility verification procedures.
  • A sponsor is listed (Co-sponsor: Raj Mukherji).

This summary provides the substantive content and implications of the bill, focusing on what changes it would implement, who is affected, and how the pilot program would operate.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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