18A:4-44 Responsibilities, duties of commission.

3. 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.

L.2001,c.343,s.3.