On March 16th, 2026 a bill was introduced that would create a statewide Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Program within the New Jersey Department of Education aimed at supporting students in grades K–5. The bill establishes a structured, state-supported effort to integrate social-emotional learning into early elementary education across New Jersey. The goal is to improve students’ emotional development, social skills, and academic success through structured school-based programming.
The program is designed around two main components. First, it teaches students how to understand and apply social and emotional skills such as self-awareness, emotional regulation, and responsible decision-making. Second, it focuses on building supportive school environments through strategies like peer and family involvement, improved classroom management, and school-wide community-building activities.
The bill requires the program to be rolled out over three years across selected school districts from northern, central, and southern New Jersey, eventually involving more than 100 schools. The Clayton School District in Gloucester County would serve as a model site for the southern region, and other model sites may be selected through an application process.
The bill mandates annual reporting to the state government detailing program costs, participating schools, student participation, and overall progress. After four years, the program would be evaluated to determine whether it should continue or expand statewide. Funding for the program includes an initial $2 million appropriation, along with state support that gradually decreases over the first three years as districts take on more responsibility for costs.
The bill is pending in the Assembly Educational Committee.
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