Recent social media posts and headlines have made the claim that New Jersey has ended basic reading and literacy test for its teachers. So, is it true? Do NJ teachers no longer need to know how to read? Simply put: No, it isn’t true. However, many are misinterpreting a law Governor Murphy recently signed as such.
Misleading posts have been shared to millions, including across social media platforms and even on Fox & Friends, a popular morning news talk show. The confusion is due to the removal of a prior requirement for teachers that was seen as repetitive. Let’s take a look:
NJ Teacher Requirements: Removing the Fluff
Prior to new legislation, NJ teachers were required to pass two praxis tests, each of which were paid out of pocket. Praxis 1, which is now removed, tested basic literacy skills, writing and math, while Praxis 2 tests subject-specific skills. For example, a math teacher will have to pass a test related to their subject for Praxis 2.
Praxis 1 has long been seen as redundant since it covers an area already necessary to graduate college, which is a requirement for NJ teachers. As an out-of-pocket cost, it has also been viewed as an unnecessary obstacle for prospective teachers.
The new law, signed by Governor Phil Murphy, took effect at the start of the New Year as part of an initiative to address teacher shortages. It has received support from New Jersey Democrats, including State Senator Jim Beach, who stated, “We need more teachers. This is the best way to get them.”
More new laws coming to NJ in 2025
Summary of the New NJ Teacher Requirements Law
The key points of the new law are:
- Testing Requirements Removed:
- The State Board of Education is prohibited from requiring candidates for instructional certificates (except for certain limited certificates) to complete tests assessing basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills, such as the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test.
- Educator preparation programs cannot require the completion of such tests as a condition for admission.
- Repeal of Prior Law:
- The law repeals P.L.2023, c.180, which had established an alternative pathway to teacher certification.
- Regulation Development:
- The State Board of Education is tasked with adopting rules and regulations to implement the law under the “Administrative Procedure Act.”
- Implementation Timeline:
- Certain sections of the law take effect immediately, while others will take effect seven months after enactment.
Purpose: The law aims to reduce barriers to teacher certification by removing specific testing requirements, streamlining the certification process, and repealing outdated provisions
NJ Schools Are Still On Top
NJ public schools rank among the best in the nation, and a growing teacher shortage has put that in jeopardy. Critics and fans of Murphy alike have pointed out that this new law, which is less of a new law and more of a reformatting, is beneficial to our education system, and therefore our children.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.