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Board reviews proposed changes to educator preparation and certification rules
Summary
The Department presented first-discussion amendments to NJAC chapters 9, 9A and 9B to implement recent statutes: eliminating the Praxis Core requirement where the law removed it, requiring educator preparation programs to create performance-based assessments, adding special-education credit requirements, and mandating culturally responsive teaching training.
The State Board heard a first discussion of proposed amendments and new rules to NJAC chapters 9, 9A and 9B to align certification and educator-preparation program rules with recent state laws.
Department officials said statutes enacted since the last readoption require multiple regulatory adjustments. Presenters explained that the board can no longer require a commissioner-approved performance-based assessment (such as edTPA); instead, educator preparation programs must establish their own program-level performance-based assessments. The Department also proposed deleting Praxis Core requirements where statute removed that obligation and adding required coursework or training in culturally responsive teaching.
Other proposed changes include requiring educator preparation programs to provide six credits toward special education in initial instructional certificate programs and easing clinical-practice requirements for paraprofessionals seeking a CEAS pathway. The Department said it will propose specific regulatory text that aligns with each statutory change and will provide implementation details to the field.
Board members asked practical questions about substitute-teacher extension provisions, whether schools have work-based learning coordinators, and whether candidates with advanced degrees must complete educator-preparation coursework. Staff answered that statutes set the requirements and that some pathways allow waivers of certain content requirements but do not eliminate the need for preparation coursework in many cases.
