The State Board of Education convened for its monthly meeting on June 3, 2026, and discussed the topics below. A recording of the meeting can be found on the New Jersey Department of Education’s (NJDOE) YouTube page. 

Resolution in Honor of the 2025-2026 Permanent Student Representative: The State Board adopted a resolution in honor of Kailynn DuRose, who served as the board’s permanent student representative for 2025-2026. DuRose, from East Brunswick High School, provided reports to the State Board throughout the year on topics such as artificial intelligence, assessments, and school start times. The permanent student representative to the State Board of Education is selected through the New Jersey Association of Student Councils (NJASC). 

Nomination of State Board Officers for 2026-2027: In advance of the 2026-2027 year, the State Board’s nominating committee nominated Kathy Goldenberg for president and two candidates for vice president: Mary Bennett and Jeanette Peña. Per the board’s bylaws, the officer election will take place after June 30. 

2025-2026 New Jersey Lighthouse Awardees: The NJDOE announced nine school districts and charter schools that have been selected as recipients of the 2025-2026 Lighthouse Awards for demonstrating measurable progress toward equitable outcomes and educational improvement. Awardees were recognized in the following categories: 

  • Increasing equity in dual enrollment: Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology, Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District, Saddle Brook Public Schools; 
  • Increasing equity in AP and IB course enrollment: Emerson Public Schools, Hamilton Township School District, Lower Cape May Regional School District, Salem City School District, South Hunterdon Regional School District; and 
  • Increasing diversity in the teacher workforce: Vineland Public Schools. 

More information on the awardees can be found in the NJDOE’s presentation. 

Presentation on Revisions to New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS): The Division of Teaching and Learning Services presented corrections to the proposed NJSLS documents initially presented in Fall 2025, which are scheduled to make updates to NJSLS in Visual and Performing Arts; Career Readiness, Life Literacies and Key Skills; Computer Science and Design Thinking; and World Languages. The Division clarified that these corrections make updates to how the draft standards are presented, and do not change the content, rigor, or expectations of the draft standards. Proposed revisions are available on the State Board’s website and more information can be found in the NJDOE’s presentation. The public comment period on the draft revisions, which includes recently announced dates for public testimony, will remain open through July 31, 2026. 

Certification of School Districts: The State Board approved 17 districts for certification as high performing pursuant to NJQSAC (district list here). 

State Board Calendar for 2026-2027: The State Board adopted its meeting and public testimony calendar for the 2026-2027 school year. 

Adoption of Amendments to School Nursing Licensure Regulations: The State Board adopted amendments at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.5, 14.3, and 14.4 to add a valid multistate registered professional nurse license issued by the licensing board of a state that is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) as an option for the required professional license. The amendments should help address school nurse shortages by enabling holders of a valid multistate registered professional nurse license to be eligible for the school nurse endorsement, school nurse/non-instructional endorsement, and substitute school nurse/non-instructional credential. Increasing the pool of registered nurses who are eligible for the endorsements and the credentials should ease the burden on school districts to fill open staff positions related to nursing services for students and teaching in areas related to health in preschool through grade 12. More information can be found in the NJDOE’s presentation. The New Jersey School Boards Association previously submitted comments on the proposed amendments. 

Adoption of Revisions to NJSLS in Science: The State Board approved a resolution to adopt revisions to the NJSLS in Science. The revised standards can be found on the State Board’s website. Districts are expected to incorporate these few revisions into local curricula by the start of the 2026-2027 school year. A committee of classroom educators and higher education faculty conducted a focused, six-week review of every science performance expectation. Revisions were recommended only when supported by clear and compelling evidence and were made for only four of the 208 performance expectations. The readopted standards sharpen the focus of climate-related learning across grade bands, ensuring developmentally appropriate and contextually grounded instruction. More information on the revised standards, including guidance documents and resources, virtual events to discuss implementation strategies, and contact information, can be found in NJDOE’s June 3 broadcast memo. 

Revised Cut Score for Praxis Test for Middle School Social Studies: The State Board discussed a resolution to adopt the revised Praxis test and qualifying score for Middle School Social Studies. The proposed qualifying score for the revised exam is 149. More information can be found in the NJDOE’s presentation. 

The next meeting of the State Board will take place on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.