NJSBA AT YOUR SERVICE
NJSBA Releases Latest Round of Policy Updates
The NJSBA has released its most recent quarterly update of critical policies for school districts and charter schools. This update includes the most up-to-date information on policies such as:
- Religious Belief Opt-out
- Requirement for Cursive Instruction
- Website Accessibility
- School Meals Notification
- Home Instruction Update
- Internet-Enabled Devices
To read these latest policy updates and other critical policy information please visit https://www.njsba.org/policy/ or contact policy@njsba.org.
School Board Notes
School-Board-Notes, Sept.,15, 2026
Lead Story: Check out the Next What’s Brewing in Education Law: Coffee Talk with Kathy and Caitlin.
For NJSBA Education News anytime, visit the NJSBA website homepage, and scroll down to News and Resources.
Chalkbeat
The SAT and test-optional admissions: What the research actually shows
Debating the value of the SAT is something of an American pastime.
The grade inflation debate may be coming to state legislatures
Each spring, Patrick Kelly hears the same complaint from teachers in his state of South Carolina: Too many students, particularly in high school, stop doing any schoolwork.
MyCentralJersey.com
More NJ high school grads at Rutgers not ready for college math
High school graduates in New Jersey are increasingly unprepared for college-level math, according to a new report that says the state’s much-touted public school system has not been meeting its own standards.
Also covered on NorthJersey.com.
NJ.com
N.J. bill aims to keep AI from replacing teachers in public schools
Artificial intelligence is playing a large role in education, and now legislators are saying they want mechanisms in place to make sure that it doesn’t replace teachers and other educational personnel.
U.S. News college rankings 2027: MIT replaces Princeton at No. 1
Princeton University’s 15-year run atop the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings has come to an end.
Montclair Local
Black Students With Disabilities Suspended at Disproportionate Rates in Montclair Schools
Black students with disabilities in the Montclair school district are being disciplined at disproportionate rates, according to data presentedduring the Montclair Board of Education’s Wednesday night meeting.
TAPinto.net
Phone-Free School Day Gets Positive Early Reviews At Hawthorne High
A new cell phone policy at Hawthorne High School is changing more than what happens inside classrooms, with staff reporting that students are looking up and interacting more as they move through the hallways.
In response to public feedback, the Chatham Board of Education plans to weigh the “Wants vs. Needs” in its proposed $54 million capital improvement referendum this week at its finance committee meeting.
Montville Township BOE Debates Structure of $35M Bond Referendum
The Montville Township Board of Education engaged in debate at its Sept. 15 meeting, over how to present an upcoming $35 million facilities referendum to voters early next year.
Investigation Finds Edison High School Assistant Principal Did Not Intimidate Muslim Students
An independent investigation by the Board of Education has found no evidence that Nicole Himmelstein, the Assistant Principal of Edison High School who has served the district for 18 years, threatened or intimidated Muslim students by instructing them to limit their Ramadan celebration to Edison students only.
Honors, AP Enrollment Nearly Triples For Hawthorne High Senior Class
More Hawthorne High School students are taking advanced classes as they move through high school, with honors and Advanced Placement participation among the current senior class nearly tripling since those students were freshmen.