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 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, titled the "Teacher Certification Reform Act of 2025," aims to make becoming a teacher in New Jersey more accessible and equitable by modifying existing certification requirements and creating new ones. Key provisions include the State Board of Education authorizing new endorsements for teaching students with disabilities (preschool through 12th grade), a revised elementary school endorsement, a bilingual and bicultural endorsement (preschool through 12th grade), and a general science endorsement for high school. The bill also allows teachers with similar existing endorsements to apply for these new ones and simplifies testing for elementary school candidates by requiring an average composite score rather than a minimum score on each individual test section. Additionally, it renames certain endorsements related to teaching deaf or hard-of-hearing students to "Teacher of the Auditorily Impaired" and waives subject matter preparation credit requirements for world language endorsements if candidates are native speakers who studied in their native language abroad. These changes are intended to address teacher shortages, particularly in high-need areas, and attract a more diverse and qualified teaching workforce.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly 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/A2562 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3000/2562_I1.HTM |
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