Signed by Governor Phil Murphy

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the Purple Star Schools Program for military families.

Highlights:

• Establishes the “Purple Stars School Program” in the Department of Education (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that schools shall be annually recognized as Purple Heart schools if they have made significant progress to respond to the challenges military-connected students encounter during the transition to a new school when the student’s parent or guardian is an active duty member of the United States military (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the goal of the program is to ensure that staff can help manage the challenges military-connected students encounter when they move between schools with different cultures, curricula, standards, course offerings, schedules, and graduation requirements (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the criteria for a Purple Heart school, which will include but not be limited to (Sec. 1):

• Raise awareness and recognize the value of military service;

• Respond to the unique educational and social-emotional challenges of military-connected students; 

• Highlight and promote equity, inclusion, and belonging;

• Create safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for all students, faculty, and staff;

• Provide teachers, faculty, and staff with opportunities for instruction in easing the entry into the new school environment for military-connected students; and

• Provides the necessary programs and services.

Full Bill Text