WeVote
Log In

Bill

RB

Bill

A 291

Requires school districts to include information on events of September 11, 2001 as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies; requires public schools to hold annual events commemorating September 11, 2001.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Rosy Bagolie and 5 co-sponsors

Requires New Jersey public schools to teach 9/11 within Social Studies and hold annual commemorative events promoting discussion on conflict resolution, diversity, and tolerance.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 291

Summary of Bill A-291 (Session 222, New Jersey)

What the bill aims to do

  • Require public school districts in New Jersey to: 1) Integrate age-appropriate instruction about the events of September 11, 2001 into the Social Studies portion of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards; and 2) Mandate annual commemorative events in every public school to enhance awareness of 9/11 and promote discussion on conflict resolution, diversity, and tolerance.

Key provisions

1) Instruction on September 11, 2001

  • Applicability: Elementary, middle, and high schools; part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies.
  • Content must cover:
    • The historical context of the attack.
    • A timeline of the day as events unfolded.
    • The heroic actions of police, firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders, and the sacrifice of the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93.
    • The immediate humanitarian response, charitable efforts, and volunteer support, plus strategies for instilling those traits in students’ daily lives.
    • The global response to terrorism after 9/11 and its impact on living in a post-9/11 world, including balancing safety/security with civil liberties.
    • Strategies for teaching tolerance and acceptance of people from different religions and cultures.
  • Support/resources: The Commissioner of Education must provide districts with sample learning activities and resources to promote awareness of 9/11.

2) Annual commemorative event

  • Each public school must organize a commemorative event every year.
  • In addition to information about 9/11, the event must offer age-appropriate opportunities for discussion on:
    • Conflict resolution
    • Diversity
    • Tolerance for people of different religions and cultures

3) Effective date

  • The act takes effect immediately upon enactment and applies starting with the first full school year after enactment.

Who is affected

  • Public school districts (including elementary, middle, and high schools) in New Jersey.
  • Students across K-12 grades who will receive 9/11 instruction.
  • School staff involved in curriculum planning and event organization.

Procedural/timeline aspects

  • Introduction: January 13, 2026.
  • Referred to Assembly Education Committee after introduction.
  • No fiscal notes or funding provisions are included in the text provided; the bill outlines instructional requirements and annual events with guidance to be provided by the state education department.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Education standards: Expands social studies requirements to include a structured, multi-faceted unit on 9/11, emphasizing history, first responders, humanitarian response, global impact, and civil liberties.
  • Student experience: Provides a formal framework for discussing trauma, resilience, diversity, and intercultural understanding.
  • School operations: Requires planning and allocation of time and resources each year for commemorative events and associated instructional activities.
  • Community and public dialogue: Encourages ongoing conversations about security, civil liberties, and interfaith tolerance within schools.

Sponsors

  • Primary sponsor: Not listed in the provided text, with co-sponsors including Greg McGuckin, Gerry Scharfenberger, Dawn Fantasia, Jay Webber, Paul Kanitra, and Rosy Bagolie.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to existing NJ social studies standards or outline potential classroom activities and sample resources the Commissioner might provide.

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

Sign in to ask a question.