In 2021, S-854, known as the Laura Wooten Law, was passed unanimously by the New Jersey Senate and Assembly. On July 23, 2021, Gov. Phil Murphy signed the bill. It mandates that, beginning in September 2022, New Jersey school districts teach a minimum of two quarters of civics in a middle school grade.
The new law directs the New Jersey Center for Civic Education (NJCCE) to provide professional development as well as resources to help middle school educators teach the newly required civics course. An overview and one-hour virtual workshops for teachers are available on NJCCE’s website at civiced.rutgers.edu.
Since in-person professional development is much more effective, NJCCE is also offering free, all-day, in-person workshops starting this month at several locations around the state.
- April 7: Rutgers University, Piscataway
- April 27: Drew University, Madison
- May 4: Rowan University, Glassboro
- May 19: Rutgers University, Piscataway
- May 26: Ramapo University, Mahwah
- July 14: Rutgers University, Piscataway
- July 20: William Paterson, Wayne
Workshops will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude by 3 p.m. Coffee and lunch will be served. Materials will be distributed. Ideas, lessons, activities and resources for teaching a civics course in middle school will be demonstrated and discussed with time for group work. Only register for ONE workshop. For questions of other information contact Robert O’Dell at
ro205@scarletmail.rutgers.edu.