Murphy signs bill requiring Latino, Hispanic history instruction in New Jersey schools
NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday signed legislation mandating that the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies include instruction on the contributions, history and heritage of Latino and Hispanic people, to be taught in grades K-12 beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.
The bill, signed during Hispanic Heritage Month at Drumthwacket, requires boards of education to implement curriculum that is historically accurate, culturally relevant, community-based and developmentally appropriate.
“Through today’s bill signing, we are cementing the legacy of New Jersey’s Latino and Hispanic communities,” Murphy said. “I am especially proud to sign this bill during Hispanic Heritage Month, ensuring that the contributions of our Hispanic and Latino communities are taught in our nation-leading public education system. By teaching students about their neighbors, we are raising a more informed next generation of future leaders in the Garden State.”
New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer said the measure builds on the state’s diversity-based learning standards. “Codifying Hispanic and Latino history instruction into law is an important extension of that commitment,” Dehmer said. “The Department will work in partnership with the Commission on Latino and Hispanic Heritage to provide districts with resources that support effective implementation of this requirement, ensuring that students receive a comprehensive understanding of our collective history.”
Under the law, the commissioner of education, working with the Commission on Latino and Hispanic Heritage, will provide districts with sample learning activities and resources to support the rollout of the curriculum.
Prime sponsors of the legislation (S2335/3096/A3871) include Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, Sens. Brian Stack and Angela McKnight, and Assemblymembers Julio Marenco, Eliana Pintor Marin, Carmen Theresa Morales and Annette Quijano.
Ruiz said the law addresses a longstanding gap in U.S. history instruction. “A study by Johns Hopkins University found that 87% of ‘key topics in Latino history’ are either left out of textbooks entirely or reduced to fewer than five sentences, leaving a profound gap in the story of America,” Ruiz said. “This legislation will diversify our curriculum and shine a light on the contributions of Latinos — the artists, scientists, athletes, public servants, and countless others — who have left an indelible mark on our nation.”
Other sponsors echoed the importance of representation in schools. “Nearly one-quarter of New Jerseyans identify as Hispanic or Latino, as does a large portion of my district,” Stack said. “It is important for students to see themselves and the diverse community around them reflected in their school’s curriculum.”
McKnight said, “Crafting a diverse curriculum in New Jersey public schools is imperative if we wish to achieve a more inclusive future. The contributions of Hispanics and Latinos to our state and country are great and deserve to be recognized in every classroom.”
The legislation was praised by advocacy groups including LULAC, UnidosUS, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement, and the Latino Action Network Foundation, as well as education leaders such as the New Jersey Education Association, AFTNJ, the New Jersey School Boards Association and the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association.
“These stories are New Jersey’s stories, and ensuring our classrooms reflect the communities we serve is essential,” said Assemblyman Julio Marenco.
The new instructional requirement will be incorporated into the upcoming review of state learning standards, with full implementation required for the 2026–2027 academic year.
