TRENTON — A bill requiring public schools to teach students about the history of organized labor and union activism has advanced in the New Jersey Senate.
Senate Bill 1054, sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal, would mandate instruction on U.S. and New Jersey labor movements for students in grades six through 12 as part of the state’s social studies curriculum. The Senate Education Committee approved the measure on June 20, 2024.
The bill outlines key topics that must be included in the curriculum, such as the history of organized labor, notable strikes, unionization efforts, and the collective bargaining process. It also directs the Commissioner of Education to provide schools with age-appropriate learning activities and resources to support instruction.
Gopal’s push for expanded labor education comes as standardized test scores in math and English remain below pre-pandemic levels following Governor Phil Murphy’s school shutdowns. The bill was prefiled for the 2024-2025 legislative session and has undergone technical review.