Is this a good idea?
New Jersey has recently passed a new law, Act 1669, that eliminates the requirement for aspiring educators to pass a basic skills test in reading, writing, and math. This change, which went into effect on New Year’s Day, aims to address the state’s teacher shortage by lowering certification requirements. Under the new law, individuals seeking instructional certification no longer need to pass the Praxis Core Test, which had been a requirement for educators in the state.
While the basic skills test has been removed, the state will still require teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree and pass subject-specific exams. Some critics, such as Erika Sanzi from Parents Defending Education, argue that the elimination of the test could lower standards for teaching and express concern over the number of aspiring teachers who failed the test. Sanzi believes that the test’s original purpose was to ensure teachers have basic competency in essential skills, and removing this barrier might not be in the best interest of students.
The move also attracted criticism from prominent figures like Elon Musk, who questioned how teachers could teach reading if they are not required to demonstrate proficiency in it. However, the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) defended the decision, pointing out that teacher candidates still undergo rigorous coursework, teaching experience, and subject-area testing. The NJEA also argued that the Praxis Basic Skills test was an unnecessary hurdle that disproportionately impacted successful college graduates entering the profession.
The bill, which was passed with bipartisan support in the state Senate, was introduced as a solution to New Jersey’s growing teacher shortage. Proponents of the bill, including Democratic Sen. Jim Beach, believe the law is an effective way to attract more qualified educators. This legislation follows a similar move in November 2023, where New Jersey signed Bill S1553, offering alternative teaching certificates for those who did not take the Praxis test.
This trend of revising teacher certification requirements is not unique to New Jersey. Other states, like California and Arizona, have also relaxed some standards to help address teacher shortages, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes come as student performance on standardized tests, such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress, has shown significant declines in math and reading, further highlighting the challenges facing the education system.
