summary
Introduced
02/25/2025
02/25/2025
In Committee
02/25/2025
02/25/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill establishes the "Teacher Certification Reform Act of 2025." The bill specifically directs the State Board of Education to authorize the following endorsements to the instructional certificate: (1) a Student with Disabilities Preschool through Grade 12 endorsement; (2) a revised Elementary School endorsement; (3) a Bilingual and Bicultural Preschool through Grade 12 endorsement; and (4) a General Science endorsement. The bill permits teachers holding certain similar endorsements prior to the establishment of the new endorsements to obtain the new endorsements upon application to the State Board of Examiners. Under the bill, a candidate seeking a Middle School with Subject Matter Specialization: World Languages/Other World Languages endorsement is not required to complete subject matter preparation credits if certain listed requirements are met. The bill also directs the State Board of Education to rename the Deaf or Hard of Hearing for Oral/Aural Communication and the Deaf or Hard of Hearing for Sign Language Communication endorsements as Teacher of the Auditorily Impaired for Oral/Aural Communication and Teacher of the Auditorily Impaired for Sign Language Communication endorsements. Finally, the bill prohibits the Department of Education from requiring a teacher candidate seeking an instructional certificate with an Elementary School endorsement to achieve a minimum score on each individual subtest of the State test for subject matter knowledge, but instead to achieve a minimum average composite score of all the subtests. According to the sponsor, by creating the new standalone endorsements in the bill, adjusting testing requirements, and renaming certain endorsements, the bill seeks to make the certification process more accessible and equitable while maintaining high standards for teacher quality. These changes are essential for attracting and retaining a diverse and qualified teacher workforce in New Jersey.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Teacher Certification Reform Act of 2025, which introduces several significant changes to teacher certification in New Jersey. The bill directs the State Board of Education to create four new endorsements: a Students with Disabilities Preschool through Grade 12 endorsement, a revised Elementary School endorsement, a Bilingual and Bicultural Preschool through Grade 12 endorsement, and a General Science endorsement. These new endorsements will replace existing, more narrowly focused certifications and aim to provide teachers with broader teaching capabilities. The bill also renames existing endorsements for teachers of auditorily impaired students and modifies testing requirements, specifically for Elementary School endorsement candidates, by allowing them to achieve a minimum average composite score on subject matter tests rather than requiring a minimum score on each individual subtest. Additionally, the bill provides pathways for teachers with existing similar endorsements to obtain the new certifications and creates flexibility for world language teachers, such as waiving subject matter preparation credits for native speakers who have completed college-level studies in their native language. The underlying motivation for these changes is to address New Jersey's teacher shortage, make certification more accessible and equitable, and maintain high standards for teacher quality, particularly in high-need areas like special education, STEM, and bilingual education.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 02/25/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5352 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A5500/5352_I1.HTM |
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