N.J. Stat. tit. 18A, ch. 7C

N.J. Stat. tit. 18A, ch. 7C
in effect

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-1 Commissioner of education to develop a program of standards and guidelines

By July 1, 1980 the Commissioner of Education with the approval of the State Board of Education shall establish a program of standards for graduation from secondary school. Such a program shall include, but not be limited to: a. The development of a Statewide assessment test in reading, writing and computational skills to be administered to all secondary school pupils as provided herein; b. Clear and explicit Statewide levels of proficiency in reading, writing and computational skills to be demonstrated as a minimum requirement for high school graduation; c. Guidelines for the development of graduation standards by local boards of education; d. Guidelines for remediation procedures for pupils who fail to meet graduation standards; and e. Guidelines for graduation standards for those pupils classified pursuant to chapter 46 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. L.1979, c. 241, s. 1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-1.1 Courses in computer science required.

1. a. No later than the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year, each public school enrolling students in grades nine through 12 , other than a county vocational school district, shall offer a course in computer science. The course shall include, but need not be limited to, instruction in computational thinking, computer programming, the appropriate use of the Internet and development of Internet web pages, data security and the prevention of data breaches, ethical matters in computer science, and the global impact of advancements in computer science. The course shall be informed by the review undertaken by the Department of Education pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2015, c.229. b. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, the State Board of Education shall adopt any appropriate changes to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and graduation requirements based upon the review undertaken by the Department of Education pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2015, c.229. L.2017, c.303, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-2 Establishment of standards for graduation from secondary schools

2. Pursuant to guidelines established by the Commissioner of Education, each board of education shall establish standards for graduation from its secondary schools. The standards shall include, but need not be limited to: a. Satisfactory performance on the Statewide assessment test as provided for in section 1 of P.L.1979, c.241 (C.18A:7C-1); b. Demonstration of proficiencies in those subject areas and skills identified by the board as necessary for graduation other than those assessed by the Statewide assessment tests. The Commissioner of Education shall monitor local plans for the assessment of proficiencies required for graduation including techniques and instruments to be used to determine pupil proficiency; required programs designed to provide the opportunity for pupils to progress toward the mastery of proficiencies required for graduation; and remediation programs for pupils who fail to meet graduation proficiency standards in order to assure compliance with the requirement of P.L.1979, c.241 (C.18A:7C-1 et seq.). The Commissioner of Education shall, upon request of the local board, provide such technical assistance as may be necessary to aid a district in the planning, implementation and evaluation of graduation standards. L.1979,c.241,s.2; amended 1996, c.138, s.46.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-2.1 Certain computer science course may satisfy requirement for mathematics credits.

1. Beginning with the 2016-2017 grade nine class, the State Board of Education shall require that the local graduation requirements adopted by a board of education permit an Advanced Placement computer science course to satisfy a part of the total credit requirement in mathematics. For an Advanced Placement computer science course to satisfy a part of the mathematics credit requirement, the student must be concurrently enrolled in or have successfully completed algebra I and geometry or the content equivalent. L.2015, c.274, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-3 Remedial instruction

For any student who does not meet the State and district examination standards for graduation by the end of 11th grade, the local board of education when appropriate shall provide additional remedial instruction specifically directed toward mastery of those proficiencies identified as necessary for the awarding of a diploma which may include but need not be limited to an extended school year, extended school day, or additional school years. Any 12th grade student who does not meet said requirements but who has met all the credit, curriculum and attendance requirements shall be eligible for a comprehensive assessment of said proficiencies utilizing techniques and instruments other than standardized tests, which techniques and instruments shall have been approved by the Commissioner of Education as fulfilling State and local graduation requirements. L. 1979, c. 241, s. 3; amended 1988,c.168,ss.1,10.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-4 State-endorsed diploma

All students who meet State and local graduation requirements shall receive a State endorsed diploma; provided, however, that the Commissioner of Education shall approve any State endorsed diploma which utilizes the comprehensive assessment techniques as provided in section 3 of P.L. 1979, c. 241 (C. 18A:7C-3). Local districts may not provide a high school diploma to students not meeting these standards. Any out-of-school youth or adult age 18 or over who has otherwise met the district graduation requirements but has failed to earn a State endorsed diploma may take the graduation proficiencies test which has been developed and administered under the auspices of the Commissioner of Education. Upon passing this test, a State endorsed diploma will be granted. Each board of education shall provide, in a format approved by the Commissioner of Education, a performance transcript for each student leaving secondary school. L. 1979, c. 241, s. 4; amended 1988,c.168,ss.2,10.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-4.1 "Operation Recognition."

1. a. The Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, shall establish a program which shall be known as "Operation Recognition." The purpose of Operation Recognition is to award State-endorsed high school diplomas to eligible veterans who left high school prior to graduation to enter United States military service. b. A person shall be eligible to receive a State-endorsed diploma under Operation Recognition if the person: (1) is an honorably discharged World War I veteran who served between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918, an honorably discharged World War II veteran who served between September 16, 1940 and December 31, 1946, an honorably discharged veteran of the Korean conflict who served between June 23, 1950 and January 31, 1955, or an honorably discharged veteran of the Vietnam conflict who served between December 31, 1960 and May 7, 1975; and (2) attended a high school in the State but left prior to graduation in order to serve in the armed forces of the United States, and did not receive a high school diploma as a consequence of such service. A State-endorsed diploma may be issued under Operation Recognition posthumously. A veteran who meets the eligibility criteria set forth in this section and who passed the General Educational Development Test, GED, may also receive a State-endorsed diploma under Operation Recognition. c. A veteran who meets the eligibility criteria set forth in subsection b. of this section may apply to the Department of Education to receive a State-endorsed high school diploma. In the case of a veteran who meets the eligibility criteria set forth in subsection b. of this section but who is deceased, the family of the veteran may apply to the department to receive a State-endorsed high school diploma on behalf of the veteran. Upon approval of an application, the department shall issue a State-endorsed high school diploma to the veteran or the veteran's family, as appropriate. The diploma shall indicate the veteran's high school of attendance. d. The Department of Education, in cooperation with the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, shall: (1) develop an application procedure for obtaining a State-endorsed high school diploma under Operation Recognition, including a method for verifying military service and the high school which the veteran attended prior to military service; (2) distribute applications for participation by veterans in Operation Recognition to school districts and to local veterans' organizations throughout the State; and (3) provide information to any school district that is interested in hosting a diploma ceremony on or around Veterans' Day for veterans who received State-endorsed high school diplomas pursuant to Operation Recognition and attended a high school within the district. e. For the purposes of this section, "veteran" means an honorably discharged officer, soldier, sailor, marine, airman, nurse or army field clerk who served in the active military or naval service of the United States in the wars and conflicts listed in subsection b. of this section. A "veteran" also means any honorably discharged member of the American Merchant Marine or the United States Coast Guard who served during the wars and conflicts listed in subsection b. of this section. L.2001, c.302, s.1; amended 2010, c.59.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-5 Board of education to provide policy on graduation to students and parents

Upon adoption by the local board of education, each board of education shall provide each high school pupil and the parents or legal guardians of such pupil with a copy of said board's policy on graduation, including a clear statement of the proficiencies required for graduation and those programs available to assist in attaining those levels of proficiency. L.1979, c. 241, s. 5.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-5.1 Graduation, yearbook costs for pupils with financial hardship

1. A board of education shall establish a policy to address the cost of the graduation ceremony and the cost of a yearbook for graduating pupils who have a financial hardship. No graduating pupil shall be excluded from a graduation ceremony whose parent, legal guardian or other person having legal custody of the pupil is unable to pay the fees required for that graduation ceremony because of financial hardship. In determining financial hardship, the criteria shall be the same as the Statewide eligibility standards established by the State Board of Education for free and reduced price meals under the State school lunch program. L.1996,c.145.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-5.2 Special education students, certain circumstances, participation in graduation ceremony permitted.

2. a. The board of education of a school district and the board of trustees of a charter school shall permit a student who has been classified as eligible for special education programs and services pursuant to chapter 46 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes and whose individualized education program prescribes continued special education programs beyond the fourth year of high school to participate in commencement ceremonies with his graduating class and to receive a certificate of attendance, provided that the student has attended four years of high school. b. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude a classified student from receiving a high school diploma when the student satisfactorily completes his individualized education program and has met appropriate graduation requirements. L.2008, c.19, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-5.3 Certain students permitted to wear military uniforms at high school graduation.

1. A school district shall allow a student to wear a dress uniform issued to the student by a branch of the United States Armed Forces while participating in the student's high school graduation ceremony, if the following requirements are met: a. the student has fulfilled all of the State and local requirements for receiving a high school diploma, and is otherwise eligible to participate in the high school graduation ceremony; and b. the student has completed basic training for, and is an active member of, a branch of the United States Armed Forces. L.2017, c.84, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-6 Graduation proficiency test

In the school year which begins in September 1993, and annually thereafter, the State graduation proficiency test shall be administered to all 11th grade pupils and to any 11th or 12th grade pupil who has previously failed to demonstrate mastery of State graduation proficiency standards on said test. The mastery of proficiencies required to fulfill local graduation standards shall be determined as appropriate under local board of education assessment plans. L. 1979, c. 241, s. 6; amended 1988,c.168,ss.3,10.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-6.1 Development of test

In the development of the graduation proficiency test to be administered to all 11th grade pupils pursuant to section 6 of P.L. 1979, c. 241 (C. 18A:7C-6), the Commissioner of Education shall consult with educators, parents, students, business and community representatives and members of minority groups. The test shall measure those basic skills all students must possess to function politically, economically and socially in a democratic society. L. 1988, c. 168, s. 5.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-6.2 Assessment of progress; remediation

The Commissioner of Education shall develop and administer to all eighth grade pupils in the school year which begins in September 1990, and annually thereafter, a test to assess progress toward mastery of State graduation proficiency standards. For any student not meeting established examination standards, the local board of education shall provide for appropriate remediation in areas of demonstrated deficiency. Appropriate remediation may include after school, weekend and summer programs. L.1988,c.168,s.4; amended 1990,c.52,s.36.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-6.3 Definitions relative to administration of standardized assessments in certain grades.

1. a. As used in this section, "commercially-developed standardized assessment" means an assessment that requires all test takers to answer the same questions, or a selection of questions from a common bank of questions, in the same manner, and is developed and scored by an entity under a contract with a board of education. A commercially-developed standardized assessment shall not include diagnostic and formative assessments used by teaching staff members to identify particular student learning needs or the need for special services, or to modify instructional strategies to improve an individual student's learning. b. A board of education shall not administer any commercially-developed standardized assessment that is not required pursuant to State or federal law to a student enrolled in kindergarten through the second grade. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the ability of a classroom teacher or board of education to develop, administer, and score an assessment for an individual classroom, grade level, or group of grade levels in any subject area in kindergarten through the second grade. L.2015, c.134, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-6.4 Definitions relative to State assessments.

1. a. As used in this section, "State assessment" means an assessment required pursuant to State or federal law and administered to all students in a specific grade level or subject area and whose results are aggregated for analysis at the district, school, or student subgroup level. b. The Department of Education shall on its website link to the Department of the Treasury's website where a list is maintained of all contractors, subcontractors, advisors, or consultants employed or retained by the Department of the Treasury for any work associated with the administration, evaluation, monitoring of social media for security breaches, grading, or ongoing development of State assessments. L.2015, c.243, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-6.5 Definitions relative to student testing in public schools.

1. As used in this act: "Commercially-developed standardized assessment" means a State-required or district-mandated assessment that is administered by the school district or charter school that requires all students in a grade to answer the same questions, or a selection of questions from a common bank of questions, in the same manner, and is developed and scored by an entity under contract with a board of education. "State assessment" means an assessment required pursuant to State or federal law and administered to all students in a specific grade level or subject area and whose results are aggregated for analysis at the district, school, or student subgroup level. L.2015, c.244, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-6.6 Provision of information to parents, guardians.

2. a. No later than October 1 of each school year, a school district or charter school shall provide to the parents or guardians of a student enrolled in the district or charter school information on any State assessment or commercially-developed standardized assessment that will be administered to the student in that school year. If a school district or charter school elects to administer an additional commercially-developed standardized assessment after October 1, then the information shall be provided within 30 days of that determination. The information, as determined by the commissioner through regulations adopted pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall include, but need not be limited to, the following: (1) the subject area of the assessment and grade levels covered by the assessment; (2) the date or range of potential dates for the administration of the assessment; (3) the time allotted for the student to take and complete the assessment; (4) any accommodations or accessibility options available to students; (5) information on how and when the student and his parent or guardian can access both sample questions and answers to the assessment and the student's results; and (6) whether the assessment is required by the State, the federal government, or both. b. The commissioner shall provide to each school district and charter school a model document to provide to parents or guardians the information required pursuant to subsection a. of this section and information on the costs incurred by the State associated with the administration of the State assessment. c. The information required pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall be provided, to the maximum extent feasible, in the native languages of the parents or guardians of the students enrolled in the school district or charter school. d. The information provided pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall also be available at the meeting of the board of education of the district or the meeting of the board of trustees of the charter school at which the annual School Performance Reports are presented to the public. L.2015, c.244, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-7 School administrators report on students awarded or denied diplomas

The local chief school administrators shall report annually to their local boards of education and to the Commissioner of Education the number of students who completed the twelfth grade course requirements and were denied a diploma and the number of students who received State endorsed diplomas; a. By successfully completing the Statewide assessment tests and local requirements; b. By using the comprehensive assessment techniques and meeting local requirements, and were not classified pursuant to chapter 46 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes; and c. By using the comprehensive assessment techniques, meeting local requirements, and were classified pursuant to chapter 46 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes. This report to the commissioner shall be included as a portion of the district annual report required under section 11 of P.L.1975, c. 212 (C. 18A:7A-11). L.1979, c. 241, s. 7.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-8 Adult high school programs; diplomas

The Commissioner of Education shall also develop rules and regulations for and may issue State endorsed diplomas to those students who have successfully completed a State approved adult high school program. L.1979, c. 241, s. 8.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-9 Evaluation of state and local programs by Commissioner of Education

The Commissioner of Education shall monitor the results of the implementation of graduation requirements as provided herein, and shall from time to time, but at least once every 5 years review and evaluate State and local programs, and shall report the results of said review and evaluation to the Governor and the Legislature together with such recommendations for changes as may be appropriate to achieve the purposes of this act. L.1979, c. 241, s. 9.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-10 Annual report

Not later than September 1, 1989 and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Education shall report to the Governor and Legislature on the impact of the State graduation proficiency test required pursuant to section 6 of P.L. 1979, c. 241 (C. 18A:7C-6). In addition to including data on test performance of students, this annual report shall include data on the number of students who have dropped out of school, the number of students who have failed to take the test, curriculum realignments in grades K-12 to prepare students for the examination, analysis of remediation efforts for students who have failed the examination, testing requirements and practices in grades K-8 and any other related matters requested by the Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Public Schools or the chairman of the education committee of either House of the Legislature. The report shall also enumerate the efforts by the Department of Education to assist local school districts in the areas of pupil retention, curriculum alignment and remediation. L. 1988, c. 168, s. 7.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-11 Status report

a. Not later than September 1, 1990 the Joint Committee on the Public Schools shall evaluate and report to the Legislature on the status of proficiency testing in the public schools of New Jersey. Among other topics the report shall specifically address: (1) how New Jersey's testing program compares to that in other states, (2) the advisability of requiring State administered tests in elementary grades, and (3) whether any changes in the statutes providing for the State graduation proficiency test are appropriate. The committee's analysis shall include an evaluation of all provisions of this amendatory and supplementary act and any recommendations for additional legislation. The joint committee shall use the funds appropriated or otherwise made available, in addition to all other resources to which the committee may have access, to secure the expertise necessary to conduct this evaluation and shall report its findings to the Governor and Legislature. b. Beginning in 1991, the Joint Committee on the Public Schools shall undertake an annual evaluation of the report submitted to the Legislature by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to section 7 of this amendatory and supplementary act. L. 1988, c. 168, s. 8.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-12 Education programs, certain, in county juvenile detention centers, validity in public school districts.

1. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, in the case of a student enrolled in an educational program in a county juvenile detention center that meets the standards for a thorough and efficient education developed by the Office of Education in the Youth Justice Commission, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, pursuant to section 9 of P.L. 1979, c.207 (C.18A:7B-5), who subsequently enrolls in a public school district, the district shall accept all days of attendance and courses studied by the student at the county juvenile detention center and apply them toward district requirements for elementary, middle, or high school graduation. L.2005, c.265, s.1; amended 2025, c.35, s.35.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-13 Findings, declarations relative to the State Seal of Biliteracy.

1. The Legislature finds and declares that: a. It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage excellence for all students, and the Legislature wishes to publicly recognize students for exemplary achievements in academic studies; b. The study of foreign languages in elementary and secondary schools should be encouraged because it contributes to a student's cognitive development and to the national economy and security; c. Proficiency in multiple languages is critical in enabling New Jersey to participate more effectively in the current global political, social, and economic context, and in expanding trade with other countries; d. The demand for employees to be fluent in more than one language is increasing in New Jersey and throughout the world; e. The benefits to employers in having staff fluent in more than one language are clear: access to expanding markets, allowing business owners to better serve their customers' needs, and the sparking of new marketing ideas that better target a particular audience and open a channel of communication with customers; and f. It is the intent of the Legislature to promote linguistic proficiency and cultural literacy in one or more foreign languages in addition to English and to provide recognition of the attainment of those needed and important skills through the establishment of the State Seal of Biliteracy. The State Seal of Biliteracy would be affixed on the high school transcripts of graduating students attaining proficiency in one or more foreign languages in addition to English. L.2015, c.303, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-14 Purposes of the State Seal of Biliteracy.

2. The State Seal of Biliteracy is established to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more foreign languages in addition to English. The State Seal of Biliteracy shall be awarded by the local board of education to graduating high school seniors who meet the criteria established by the State Board of Education pursuant to subsection a. of section 3 of this act. School district participation in this program is voluntary. The purposes of the State Seal of Biliteracy are as follows: a. To encourage students to study languages; b. To certify attainment of biliteracy; c. To provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills; d. To provide universities with a method to recognize and award academic credit to applicants seeking admission; e. To prepare students with 21st century skills; f. To recognize and promote foreign language instruction in public schools; and g. To strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and languages of a community. L.2015, c.303, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-15 Rules.

3. a. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), establishing criteria for the award of a State Seal of Biliteracy. The criteria shall require a student to demonstrate proficiency in English by meeting State high school graduation requirements in English, including through State assessments and credits, and proficiency in one or more foreign languages other than English. The criteria shall permit a student to demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language other than English through multiple methods, including nationally or internationally recognized language proficiency tests. For the purposes of this section, a foreign language other than English shall also include American Sign Language, Latin, and Native American languages. b. The Commissioner of Education shall prepare and deliver to participating school districts a certificate to be awarded to the student and an appropriate insignia to be affixed to the transcript of the student indicating that the student has been awarded the State Seal of Biliteracy. The commissioner shall also provide any information the commissioner deems necessary for a school district to successfully participate in the program. c. A school district that participates in the program under this section shall maintain appropriate records in order to identify students who have earned the State Seal of Biliteracy, and shall award the certificate and affix the appropriate insignia to a qualifying student's transcript. d. A school district that participates in the program may pay the costs of the program or may charge a fee to students who participate to cover the costs. L.2015, c.303, s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:7C-16 Report to Governor, Legislature.

4. The commissioner shall submit a report to the Governor, and the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), by September 1 of each school year that includes the number of students awarded the State Seal of Biliteracy in the previous school year, the languages in which those students attained proficiency, and the methods used by students to demonstrate proficiency for the State Seal of Biliteracy. L.2015, c.303, s.4.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026

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