Assemblyman Cites Recent Concerns Raised by Parents’
(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Ralph R. Caputo recently introduced legislation to address parents’ concerns over the availability of textbooks for certain classes that require a textbook for lessons and homework.
The bill (A-3540) would require a school district board of education to provide an individual textbook for each student enrolled in a class which requires a textbook. The bill states that in some school districts not all of the students in a particular class are being issued a textbook; and the lack of textbooks puts students at a disadvantage in completing homework assignments and preparing for tests.
“We all agree that how we educate our students’ has changed significantly in the age of iPads, tablets and online textbooks,” said Caputo (D-Essex). “However, each school district must ensure that every student has access to the appropriate tools or textbooks needed to do well in the each course, whether the tools or textbooks are in-hand or online.
“This bill will ensure every student a fair opportunity to be successful in their studies. “
The bill defines a textbook as any book, workbook or manual or electronic textbook intended as the principal source of study for a given class.