Self-Assessment for Determining Grades Under the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act Is Now Open

The New Jersey Department of Education recently announced the opening of the 2022-2023 School Self-Assessment for Determining Grades under the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act.

Local educational agencies submit information into the online self-assessment program, and the data is used to grade each LEAs effort to implement the act pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:17-46. The deadline to submit self-assessments is Oct. 31, 2023.

Key Steps

The school safety/school climate team must complete the self-assessment and have a school-level user enter ratings into the online system that is accessed by selecting the “HIB-Grades” link on the NJDOE Homeroom webpage. A district-level user must review the self-assessment for accuracy and request edits as necessary.

This year’s self-assessment reflects the 2022 amendments to the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act, which went into effect with the 2022-2023 school year. For example, schools that have a harassment, intimidation and bullying policy that permits the use of a preliminary determination must now report the number of times a preliminary determination was made to not conduct an HIB investigation.

The chief school administrator, charter school lead person or renaissance school project lead person is responsible for presenting each completed self-assessment at a public board of education meeting to obtain public comment and board approval. Once board of education approval is granted, the chief school administrator, charter school or renaissance school project lead person will formally submit the ratings by certifying the statement of assurances in the self-assessment system.

To assist LEAs in the completion of this assessment, the NJDOE has posted online guidance documents and resources that include a self-assessment summary report and an activities checklist titled “Overview of Activities.”

If a completed, certified self-assessment is not submitted by the Oct. 31, 2023, deadline, the NJDOE may issue a zero for that school’s grade, which will also have a negative effect on the LEA’s grade.

If you have questions, contact the NJDOE via email.