Sponsored by:
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators Diegnan and Stanfield
SYNOPSIS
Requires State Board of Education to authorize alternate route to expedite teacher certification of persons employed as paraprofessionals in school districts.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning teacher certification and supplementing chapter 26 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The State Board of Education shall authorize an alternate route to expedite the teacher certification of persons who are employed or have been employed by a school district as a paraprofessional or an instructional assistant.
b. The Commissioner of Education shall develop recommendations for the alternate route program authorized pursuant to subsection a. of this section and shall submit the recommendations to the State Board of Education. In developing the recommendations, the commissioner shall consult with representatives of the education community including, but not limited to, the New Jersey Education Association, the New Jersey School Boards Association, the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, and the State Professional Learning Committee.
c. In addition to any other requirements established by the State Board of Education, the alternate route program authorized pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall include the following:
(1) a formula for applying a candidate’s direct classroom service to any student teaching requirements, provided that the candidate is currently employed by a school district and is providing direct classroom service, including tutoring. Under the formula, the direct classroom service shall earn the candidate full credit, if appropriate;
(2) a requirement that the school district in which the candidate is currently employed permit the candidate to perform any required student teaching in the school district while, if possible, continuing employment as a paraprofessional or an instructional assistant; and
(3) a formula to allow a grade point average waiver for candidates who otherwise demonstrate qualification for the expedited teacher certification.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the State Board of Education to authorize an alternate route to expedite the teacher certification of persons who are employed or have been employed by a school district as a paraprofessional or an instructional assistant.
The Commissioner of Education is to develop recommendations for the alternate route and those recommendations are required to be submitted to the State board. In developing the recommendations, the commissioner is to consult with representatives of the education community, including the New Jersey Education Association, the New Jersey School Boards Association, the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, and the State Professional Learning Committee.
The bill provides that in addition to any other requirements established by the State Board of Education, the alternate route program is required to include:
(1) a formula for applying a candidate’s direct classroom service to any student teaching requirements, provided that the candidate is currently employed by a school district and is providing direct classroom service, including tutoring. Under the formula, the direct classroom service shall earn the candidate full credit, if appropriate;
(2) a requirement that the school district in which the candidate is currently employed permit the candidate to perform any required student teaching in the school district while, if possible, continuing employment as a paraprofessional or an instructional assistant; and
(3) a formula to allow a grade point average waiver for candidates who otherwise demonstrate qualification for the expedited teacher certification.