In a significant policy change, the New Jersey State Board of Education has adopted a gender-neutral approach to public education, eliminating gendered language and replacing it with more inclusive terms. Under the new policy, “boys and girls” or “ladies and gentlemen” will no longer be used in public schools.
Additionally, the state’s sex education classes will be separated based on gender identity rather than biological sex, aiming to provide a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.
The decision to make language gender-neutral involves replacing terms like “men and women” with “persons” and changing all mentions of “equality” in the state’s administrative code to “equity.” The board’s goal is to promote a more inclusive educational experience that respects and addresses the diverse identities of students.
While this policy change has received support from advocates of gender equality, some Republican state senators have expressed concerns. They fear that the focus on social causes may detract from students’ education and worry about separating sexual education classes by gender identity, as it could lead to claims of discrimination if boys join girls’ classes.
Parental rights advocates have also opposed the adoption of the policy and the switch to gender-neutral language, raising concerns about the state’s Department of Education Transgender Guidance, which asserts that schools must accept a student’s asserted gender identity without requiring parental consent.
The State Board of Education proposal was approved narrowly by a vote of 6 to 5, indicating that more time may be needed to address these issues and gather stakeholder input. The controversy surrounding gender-related policies, such as sports, bathrooms, and locker room arrangements, has been a topic of debate across the country, with various states and districts grappling with finding a balance between inclusivity and concerns over parental rights and student privacy.