The rules provide standards governing equality in educational programs to guarantee each student equal access to all educational programs, services and benefits of the school district regardless of his or her race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability or socioeconomic status.

To locate regulations concerning school district operations within a dedicated chapter of Administrative Code, the Department proposes to repeal N.J.A.C. 6A:7 and move the entire Chapter, with amendments, to N.J.A.C. 6A:32, which contains regulations on a wide range of topics to assist district boards of education and school district administrators in the daily operation of schools.

To enhance clarity, the proposed amendments: Delete common definitions. Amend the definition of “Achievement Gap” to reflect

the change in focus to the school level. Delete a reference to the Quality Assurance Annual

Report (QAAR) as this report no longer exists. Remove the September 30, 2003, deadline to

complete a comprehensive equity plan as the deadline has passed.

To reduce administrative burden on school districts, the proposed amendments:

Require district boards of education to submit a statement of assurance that it has completed a comprehensive equity plan rather than submit the plan to the Department for review and approval.

Designate an affirmative action officer and team in each district board of education every three years instead of annually.

To provide more flexibility, the proposed amendments:

Allow district boards of education to offer single-sex classrooms on a voluntary basis, as long as there is a substantially equal coeducational classroom in the same subject or activity and consistent with federal requirements.