NJ To Be The First State To Add Climate Change To Curriculum

NEW JERSEY – The New Jersey State Board of Education has adopted First Lady Tammy Murphy's initiative to make New Jersey the first state in the nation to incorporate climate change education across its K-12 learning standards.

“In New Jersey, we have already begun to experience the effects of climate change, from our disappearing shorelines, to harmful algal blooms in our lakes, super storms producing torrential rain, and summers that are blazing hot,” said Murphy. “The adoption of these standards is much more than an added educational requirement; it is a symbol of a partnership between generations. Decades of short-sighted decision-making has fueled this crisis and now we must do all we can to help our children solve it. This generation of students will feel the effects of climate change more than any other, and it is critical that every student is provided an opportunity to study and understand the climate crisis through a comprehensive, interdisciplinary lens.”

The New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) outline what is taught in New Jersey’s public schools and set the foundation for school districts to craft instruction and curricula. With this adoption, climate change education will be incorporated across seven content areas—21st Century Life and Careers, Comprehensive Health and Physical Education, Science, Social Studies, Technology, Visual and Performing Arts, and World Languages, officials said. Climate change standards have also been added to the appendices of the Mathematics and English Language Arts guidelines, which are up for review in 2022.

“A top priority of my Administration has been to reestablish New Jersey’s role as a leader in the fight against climate change,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “The adoption of these standards across our K-12 schools is an important step forward that will strengthen the future of New Jersey’s green energy economy. By incorporating these standards into the nation’s number one public education system, we are creating a catalyst and knowledge base for new green jobs and teaching our children to become leaders who will propel New Jersey forward to 100 percent clean energy by 2050.”

Over the past year, the First Lady has met with the over 130 educators from across the state who have been charged with reviewing and revising the existing student learning standards, a process that occurs every five years.

“I am incredibly proud that New Jersey is the first state in the nation to fully integrate climate education in their K-12 curricula,” said Vice President Al Gore. “This initiative is vitally important to our students as they are the leaders of tomorrow, and we will depend on their leadership and knowledge to combat this crisis. We will need leaders who are not only well educated about the effects of climate change, but leaders who can craft the solutions for climate change and implement those solutions. Congratulations to First Lady Tammy Murphy and to all of New Jersey’s educators who have helped New Jersey reach this historic announcement.”

Since 2018, the First Lady has visited elementary, middle, and high schools across the state that have already implemented strong climate change education and sustainability initiatives. These schools include Mount Arlington Public School, Whitehouse Elementary School, Millbridge Elementary School, George L. Catrambone School, Delran High School, Valleyview Middle School, J.V.B. Wicoff Elementary School, Egg Harbor Township High School, Alder Middle School, and Northern Burlington County Regional High School. All of these schools participate in the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program.

“Record hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, heat waves and drought have spelled out a dire reality: the climate crisis is here. New Jersey is on the front line of this crisis, and we can no longer afford to address climate change along the margins. I’m grateful for the First Lady’s leadership on the climate crisis in our state. The K-12 climate change education guidelines will prepare young New Jerseyans to build a safe and prosperous future for generations to come,” Congressman Frank Pallone said.

The process for reviewing and revising the NJSLS was informed by teachers, administrators, higher education faculty, and stakeholders from throughout the state. There was representation from public, nonpublic, and charter schools; from rural, urban, and suburban districts; non-profit organizations and agencies; and the military. The 2020 NJSLS were revised with consideration of the public input and feedback received through regional testimony sessions, written comments, and feedback submitted through the NJDOE website.

“One of the goals of our learning standards is to ensure New Jersey students are prepared to think critically, analyze data, and work collaboratively,” said New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner Lamont O. Repollet. “These skills will be more important than ever as today’s young minds learn how to address the issue of climate change.”

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