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New Jersey Computer Science State Plan
The NJ Computer Science State plan was announced by Governor Murphy in November 2019. The State plan is a roadmap for providing equitable K-12 CS education to NJ students and outlines five key-priorities:
Adopt Standards: Develop rigorous computer science standards in all grades that provide a framework for equitable access to a coherent, robust computer science program for all students in K-12.
Implement Professional Learning: Develop and deliver flexible, accessible, and sustainable professional learning for educators and educator preparation providers.
Strengthen the Teacher Pipeline: Establish initial licensure and endorsement pathways to increase the number of educators teaching computer science.
Build Capacity, Partnerships, and Awareness: Engage with families, educators, higher education, school boards and other community stakeholders to leverage partnerships and promote the state plan.
Establish a Data-Driven Decision-Making Approach: Establish metrics for each of the goals to evaluate progress and remaining gaps; ensure the data collected can serve as a basis for establishing the funding in each of the next two fiscal cycles.
CS Teacher Endorsement for Teachers of Grades 9-12
A New Jersey state law, P.L 2018 Chapter 81 (C.18A:26-2.26), passed in June 2018, requires that a computer science teaching endorsement be added to New Jersey code. The endorsement would authorize the holder to teach computer science in all public schools, and would be required to teach computer science in grades 9 through 12 beginning at such time as the State board determines that there is a sufficient number of teachers holding the computer science education endorsement to make the requirement feasible.
Computer Science Student Learning Standards
The New Jersey State Board of Education adopted the revised Computer Science Student Learning Standards (CS SLS) in June 2020. The 2020 CS SLS consist of five disciplinary concepts aligned with the national CSTA standards and the CS framework.
All New Jersey K-8 students must meet or exceed the CS SLS starting in Fall 2022.
Any Computer Science courses offered by New Jersey high schools must meet or exceed the CS SLS starting in the Fall 2022.
All New Jersey High Schools Must offer a Computer Science Course
As per New Jersey state law, P.L. 2017, CHAPTER 303, starting with the 2018-2019 academic year, each public high schools must offer a course in Computer Science.
AP Computer Science Counts towards HS Math Requirement
New Jersey Statute 18A:7C-2.1 allows Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science courses to count towards high school math credit requirements, starting with the 2016-2017 freshman class, provided students have taken or are taking Algebra I and Geometry (or equivalents). This policy encourages computer science, recognizing its analytical nature, and is part of broader efforts by NJDOE to integrate CS into high school curricula, alongside the separate requirement for offering a general computer science course in all high schools.
Funding for CS Education
Seven Years of Computer Science Innovation
Since taking office, the Murphy Administration has invested over $9 million in initiatives to advance computer science education in New Jersey. These investments have supported the creation of six Computer Science Learning Hubs, established a CS Specialist position at the Department of Education and expanded course offerings across more than 50 school districts and charter schools.
Fiscal Year 2019: $2 million allocated to the Advanced Computer Science Grant Program, funding the implementation of higher-level computer science coursework in 22 schools.
Fiscal Year 2021: $800,000 in grants awarded to establish Computer Science Learning Hubs at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Kean University, and Rutgers University–New Brunswick.
Fiscal Year 2022: $2 million dedicated to grants supporting schools as they implemented the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Computer Science. Grants were awarded to Fairleigh Dickinson University, Montclair State University, Stockton University, and The College of New Jersey.
Fiscal Year 2023: $2 million provided to continue two grant programs funded in FY2022.
Fiscal Year 2024: $2 million used to fund the implementation of new computer science classes in 27 high schools, and to support three higher education Computer Science Hubs at Montclair State University, Stockton University, and The College of New Jersey.
Fiscal Year 2025: $1.6 million included for the K–12 Computer Science Initiative, which encompasses the $1.3 million in new grants announced today, along with $750,000 for Artificial Intelligence Innovation in Education Grants.
Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget: Includes $1 million for a newly merged K–12 Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Education Initiative.
Source: wrnjradio.com April 23, 2025
CS education: good for our students, good for our state
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