New Jersey-Teachers Can Now Be Certified Without Passing Basic Reading Writing Math Testing

Here we are folks.

Who likes the new Teachers for your kids? 😀

A New Jersey law that removes a requirement for teachers to pass a reading, writing, and mathematics test for certification went into effect on January 1st, 2025.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D-N.J.) signed the law in June 2024.

The law, Act 1669, cleared the state Senate in a 34-2 vote as part of the state’s 2025 budget.

The legislation states: “The State Board of Education shall not require a candidate seeking any instructional certificate, except in the case of a limited certificate of eligibility or a limited certificate of eligibility with advanced standing … to complete a Commissioner of Education-approved test of basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills including, but not limited to, the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test, in order to obtain an instructional certificate.”

New Jersey: Teachers Can Now Be Certified Without Passing Basic Reading, Writing, Math Testing

So a search provides this:

To become a teacher in New Jersey, you must meet the following requirements:

Earn a bachelor's degree: From an accredited institution
Complete an educator preparation program: State-approved, including field experience
Complete student teaching: A minimum of 175 field hours
Pass Praxis exams: The Praxis Core Tests for basic skills and the Praxis Subject Tests for content knowledge
Meet GPA requirements: A cumulative 3.0 GPA out of 4 for graduates after September 2016, or a cumulative 2.75 GPA for graduates before September 2016

You may also be able to become a teacher through an Alternate Route Program.
To do this, you must:

Apply to the NJDOE for a Certificate of Eligibility (CE)
Complete a 50-hour Introduction to Teaching Course
Earn a bachelor's degree: From an accredited institution
Complete an educator preparation program: State-approved, including field experience
Complete student teaching: A minimum of 175 field hours
Pass Praxis exams: The Praxis Core Tests for basic skills and the Praxis Subject Tests for content knowledge
Meet GPA requirements: A cumulative 3.0 GPA out of 4 for graduates after September 2016, or a cumulative 2.75 GPA for graduates before September 2016
You may also be able to become a teacher through an Alternate Route Program. To do this, you must:
Apply to the NJDOE for a Certificate of Eligibility (CE)
Complete a 50-hour Introduction to Teaching Course
Begin teaching in the Provisional Teacher Program
Complete the remaining 24 credits of coursework through New Pathways
New Jersey does not offer reciprocity benefits, so teachers who are certified in New Jersey cannot practice outside the state.
Begin teaching in the Provisional Teacher Program
Complete the remaining 24 credits of coursework through New Pathways
New Jersey does not offer reciprocity benefits, so teachers who are certified in New Jersey cannot practice outside the state.

NJ academic scores


All in all, I guess they're assuming if you have a BA, you can read, write and do arithmetic?

Soon, AI’s taking over teaching!
Human teachers might just be there for the coffee machine and moral support!

Maybe the case in NJ...

😂

originally posted by: imitator
Soon, AI’s taking over teaching!
Human teachers might just be there for the coffee machine and moral support!

Maybe the case in NJ...

😂

AI+DEI is the ticket! 😊

So i guess it is true. Those that can't, teach! They want lowered standards for teachers, we must ask why? The old standards produced some real lack luster teachers! I can only imagine how much worse they will be getting going forward.

I wonder if they'll still do half-hearted background checks?


I can't wait until they start fast tracking doctors and nurses!

originally posted by: StoutBroux


All in all, I guess they're assuming if you have a BA, you can read, write and do arithmetic?

No longer a valid assumption for "degrees" handed in 2024....

originally posted by: nugget1
I wonder if they'll still do half-hearted background checks?


I can't wait until they start fast tracking doctors and nurses!

I watched every episode of House M.D.
So I'm a doctor now, right ? RIGHT ?

originally posted by: Tolkien

originally posted by: nugget1
I wonder if they'll still do half-hearted background checks?


I can't wait until they start fast tracking doctors and nurses!

I watched every episode of House M.D.
So I'm a doctor now, right ? RIGHT ?

Don't be crazy, you still have to do your residency, now go watch Scrubs.

I know people who are very good at reading and writing, but possibly would not pass a math test. I personally am good at Math and sciences, but am not that great at spelling....because I have no interest in that so I do not think it is actually worth tying up brain cells to memorize things I really will not want to work with.

I married my wife, she knows the names of movie stars, writers, and famous people. I on the other hand recognize faces and voices and do not really put in the time to remember their last names. I have no interest in learning the names of someone I will never meet in real life...like movie stars.

Why would an english teacher need to be good at math, and why would a Physics teacher need to be good at writing?

Biden probably can't write now, and he is president of the USA.

a reply to: rickymouse
An English teacher? The question must be asked (because it doesn't specify it) "what language for reading and writing"? English/Mexican/Farsi/ Urdu/ Arabic, etc. etc.?

a reply to: xuenchen

Well...here used to be you need 95 credits to substitute teach.

Now in Michigan...hurting for teachers...in some cases lowered the requirements to 75 hrs.

Their reading n writing ability...is shown in their successful passing...of all those classes/credit hours.

a reply to: xuenchen

But teachers still need a Bachelor's degree, pass core tests etc so pretty sure such folk can read and write etc.

So this test seems to be a bit redundant.

No?

originally posted by: Oldcarpy2
a reply to: xuenchen

But teachers still need a Bachelor's degree, pass core tests etc so pretty sure such folk can read and write etc.

So this test seems to be a bit redundant.

No?

Some "tests" were designed to detect and expose people with fake ID, as well as "teachers" who actually fail.

AND,

More than half of aspiring elementary teachers fail the most common licensing exam the first time—and that number has even more serious implications for the diversity of the teaching profession.

(from 2019)😄
You’re More Likely to Pass the Bar Than an Elementary Teacher Licensing Exam

a reply to: xuenchen

We knew this years ago.