New Jersey § 18a:4-44

§ 18a:4-44.

The commission shall have the following responsibilities and duties: a. To provide, based upon the collective knowledge and experience of its members,

assistance and advice to the public and nonpublic schools of this State with respect

to the implementation of Italian and Americans of Italian heritage cultural and educational

programs; b. To meet with county and local school officials and other interested public and

private organizations, for the purpose of assisting with the planning, coordination

or modification of courses of study dealing with issues, matters and subjects concerning

or relating to the culture, history and heritage of Italians and Americans of Italian

heritage; c. To survey and catalog the extent and breadth of Italian and Americans of Italian

heritage cultural awareness and educational programs presently being incorporated

into the curricula and taught in the school systems of this State; to inventory those

Italian and Americans of Italian heritage exhibits and resources which may be incorporated

into courses of study at various locations throughout the State and, upon request,

to assist the State Department of Education and other educational agencies in the

development and implementation of Italian and Americans of Italian heritage cultural

awareness and educational programs. In furtherance of this responsibility, the commission shall be authorized to contact

and cooperate with existing Italian and Americans of Italian heritage public or private

nonprofit resource organizations and may act as a liaison concerning issues and topics

involving and relating to the culture, history and heritage of Italians and Americans

of Italian heritage to members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives

and the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly; d. To compile a roster of individual volunteers who are willing to share their knowledge

and experience in classrooms, seminars and workshops on subjects concerning and relating

to the culture, history and heritage of Italians and Americans of Italian heritage. These volunteers may be scholars, clergymen, community relations professionals and

other persons who, by virtue of their experience, training or interest, have acquired

personal or academic knowledge of the culture, history and heritage of Italians and

Americans of Italian heritage and who are willing to share that knowledge with students

and teachers; e. To coordinate events observing the culture, history and heritage of Italians and

Americans of Italian heritage and to seek volunteers who are willing and able to participate

in commemorative events that will enhance student awareness of the significance of

the culture, history and heritage of Italians and Americans of Italian heritage; f. To prepare reports for the Governor and the Legislature regarding its findings

and recommendations to facilitate the inclusion of Italian and Americans of Italian

heritage studies and special programs memorializing the culture, history and heritage

of Italians and Americans of Italian heritage in the educational system of this State;

and g. To develop, in consultation with the State Department of Education, curriculum

guidelines for the teaching of subjects and topics concerning and relating to the

culture, history and heritage of Italians and Americans of Italian heritage. To the greatest extent practicable, each board of education shall incorporate those

guidelines as part of the curriculum for its district's elementary and secondary school

students.