Gov. Phil Murphy on July 23 signed into law S854/S237-A3394, also known as Laura Wooten’s Law, which will require civics education be taught in New Jersey’s middle schools.
The law carries the name of the late Laura Wooten, who is believed to be the longest continuously serving poll worker in American history.
“Currently, New Jersey is one of a minority of states which does not require our middle school students to study civics, leaving a gap between elementary school and high school, which we must fill,” Murphy said in his opening remarks. He went on to say that a “deep dive” by Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, acting commissioner of New Jersey’s Department of Education, and her staff revealed “only 29 of the 522 school districts that serve middle schoolers — grades six through eight — offer a distinct course in civics education.”
“While our statewide learning standards do require a discussion of civics under the broad banner of social studies,” Murphy added, “today we ensure that these lessons will stand above and apart.”
“I am confident that this bill will elevate civics instruction around New Jersey,” Allen-McMillan said. “It will enable more students and schools to live up to the example set by its namesake.”
“It’s taken 12 years to have this bill passed. … I am both humbled and proud to be able to help in the implementation of this new course and in bringing New Jersey to the forefront of reimagining civic learning in the 21st century,” said Arlene Gardner, president of the New Jersey Center for Civic Education at Rutgers University.