SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2831

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

      The Senate Education Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2831.

     This bill authorizes the State Board of Examiners to issue a certificate of eligibility to teaching candidates, including alternate route candidates, who hold the equivalent of a certificate of eligibility or a provisional certificate from another state.  The bill also authorizes the board to issue a certificate of eligibility to a candidate who holds an emergency certificate issued by another state.

     In order to be eligible for the certificate of eligibility, a candidate must (1) hold the equivalent of a valid certificate of eligibility or a provisional certificate from another state in a subject or grade level also offered in New Jersey.  The candidate may also hold an emergency certificate issued by another state in an appropriate subject matter or grade level; (2) have passed a subject-matter test to receive the out-of-state endorsement or passed the appropriate New Jersey subject-matter test; (3) have passed a performance assessment that is approved by the state in which the certificate was issued, or, if the out-of-state candidate did not take or pass a state-approved performance assessment, the candidate must pass a New Jersey approved performance assessment; and (4) have at least one year of effective teaching experience as documented by a letter from the candidate’s former supervisor, principal, or employing school district’s human resource officer.

     Under the bill, if the out-of-state candidate has not completed an approved educator preparation program the candidate will enroll in a New Jersey approved educator preparation program and complete any remaining college credits or coursework prior to the issuance of a standard instructional certificate.