NJ S2239

New Jersey Department of Education must develop a credential for culturally responsive teaching in partnership with the Diverse and Learner-Ready Teachers Initiative of the Council of Chief State School Officers or equivalent entity.

The credential will introduce teachers to practices, characteristics, and methods that acknowledge and embrace students' cultural backgrounds to ensure equitable access to education.

Culturally responsive teaching is defined as pedagogy that includes students' cultural references in learning and uses research-based strategies connecting school curriculum to students' cultures, languages, and experiences.

The credential must be available to teachers beginning in the first full school year following enactment of the act.

The State Board of Education is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the act.