New Jersey’s Act 1669 abolishes basic competency exams for aspiring teachers, sparking debate over educational standards and teacher shortages.
At a Glance
- New Jersey has eliminated basic skills test requirements for teacher certification
- The move aims to address severe teacher shortages in the state
- Critics worry about potential impacts on educational quality
- Similar measures have been adopted in other states like New York and California
- The law took effect on January 1, 2024
New Jersey Eases Teacher Certification Requirements
In a controversial move to combat teacher shortages, New Jersey has enacted Act 1669, eliminating the requirement for aspiring teachers to pass basic competency examinations in reading, writing, and math. The legislation, signed by Governor Phil Murphy, took effect on January 1, 2024, and allows teacher candidates to bypass the Praxis test, obtaining certification after four years of teaching.
This decision aligns New Jersey with other states like New York, California, and Arizona, which have also lowered teacher certification requirements in recent years. The move comes as the state grapples with a significant decline in new graduates from education programs, with numbers falling below 3,000 for the first time in two decades.
Addressing the Teacher Shortage Crisis
The teacher shortage in New Jersey is a pressing issue, with the state currently having 2,000 fewer teachers than pre-pandemic levels. Despite this, New Jersey ranks as having the seventh lowest teacher shortage in the United States. The shortage is particularly acute in areas such as ESL, bilingual education, special education, math, science, and technical education.
“We need more teachers,” Democratic Sen. Jim Beach said.
To address these shortages, the state board of education has implemented policies to expand the pool of prospective teachers. These include allowing entry through alternate route programs even if candidates fall short of GPA or test scores, with mentoring and courses required for certification. Additionally, 118 districts have been approved for a five-year pilot program starting in the fall.
Debate Over Educational Standards
The decision to eliminate basic skills tests has sparked a heated debate among educators, policymakers, and the public. Supporters of the change, including the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), argue that standardized tests like the Praxis act as unnecessary barriers for low-income and diverse candidates entering the teaching profession.
Critics, however, express concern that removing these standardized tests may lower the quality of education by allowing underqualified individuals to teach. They argue that basic competency in reading, writing, and math is essential for effective teaching across all subjects and grade levels.
Long-term Implications and Alternatives
As New Jersey implements this new approach to teacher certification, questions remain about its long-term impact on educational quality and student outcomes. Some experts suggest that alternative measures, such as improved professional development, better working conditions, and increased pay, could be more effective in addressing teacher shortages without compromising standards.
With federal funding boosts set to end in the 2024-25 school year, potentially leading to layoffs, the effectiveness of Act 1669 in addressing New Jersey’s teacher shortage will be closely watched. As the debate continues, the balance between quickly filling teaching positions and maintaining high educational standards remains a critical challenge for New Jersey and other states facing similar issues.
