Bill
Bill > S2233
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill establishes an emergency instructional certificate for teacher candidates in high-need fields. Under the bill, a chief school administrator or the board of directors of a private school for students with disabilities may apply to the executive county superintendent or the Commissioner of Education, as applicable, for an emergency endorsement to an instructional certificate to enable teachers to full high-need fields prior to qualifying for the endorsement through regular course. In order to be eligible to receive an emergency endorsement, the amendments require a teacher candidate: to have already obtained a certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, or a standard instructional certificate in another endorsement area; and be enrolled in a coherent sequence of courses in the emergency subject field at an educator preparation program at a regionally accredited four-year institution of higher education. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Education to publish a list of the high-need fields eligible to receive an emergency endorsement on its internet website and requires the State Board of Education to annually reevaluate the high-need fields that are eligible for an emergency instructional certificate. The bill also stipulates that a teacher candidate who has been issued an emergency endorsement may be employed in a full-time or part-time teaching position. Finally, bill stipulates that no more than 20 percent of a board of education's or a private school for students with disabilities' teaching staff may be employed with an emergency instructional certificate.
AI Summary
This bill establishes an emergency instructional certificate for teachers in high-need fields, allowing school administrators or private schools for students with disabilities to request an emergency endorsement for a candidate who has not yet fully met the regular qualification requirements. To be eligible, a candidate must already hold some form of teaching certificate, be enrolled in a relevant course sequence at an accredited college, and have passed any required subject matter exams, though they would be exempt from the pre-professional component of their educator preparation program. The Department of Education will maintain a public list of these high-need fields, which will be reviewed annually by the State Board of Education, and these emergency endorsements can be renewed annually for up to two additional years, with a total limit of three years of employment under an emergency certificate in any single high-need area. Importantly, no more than 20 percent of a school's teaching staff can be employed under such an emergency endorsement, and these endorsements are valid only for the specific school requesting them, with teachers able to work full-time or part-time.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)
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/2026/S2233 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2500/2233_I1.HTM |
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