Bill Text: NJ A4325 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes in statute the requirements which must be fulfilled in order for any person to receive certification as a superintendent of schools.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-11-21 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee [A4325 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-A4325-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN
District 15 (Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes in statute the requirements which must be fulfilled in order for any person to receive certification as a superintendent of schools.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning school administrator 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. The State Board of Examiners shall issue a school administrator certificate of eligibility only if the candidate:
a. Completes one of the following:
(1) holds a master's or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university in educational leadership, or in curriculum and instruction, or in one of the recognized fields of leadership or management;
(2) holds a master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and completes a post-master's program resulting in a certificate of advanced study in educational administration and supervision;
(3) holds a master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and completes a post-master's program in a coherent sequence of 30 semester hour credits as they appear on the institution's transcript. The study shall be completed at one institution in a field set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection;
(4) holds a master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and completes a New Jersey State-approved certification program in educational leadership offered by providers approved by the Department of Education; or
(5) holds a master's degree in a program in educational leadership from an out-of-State college or university which has been approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education or the Teacher Education Accreditation Council;
b. Completes a minimum of 30 graduate credits either within the master's program or in addition to it, in the study of the topics included in the professional standards for school leaders established by the State Board of Education that are most directly related to the functions of a superintendent;
c. Completes a 150-hour internship in educational leadership independent of other course requirements;
d. Passes a State-approved examination of knowledge that is acquired through study of the topics included in the professional standards for school leaders established by the State Board of Education that are most directly related to the functions of a superintendent; and
e. Completes five years of successful educational experience in a public or non-public school, a public or non-public school district, or a regionally accredited higher educational setting in New Jersey or out-of-State.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), a New Jersey principal shall be eligible for the school administrator certificate of eligibility, provided the candidate:
a. Meets the requirements of subsection d. of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill);
b. Holds a valid, standard New Jersey principal endorsement; and
c. Presents official documentation of five years of successful full-time experience as a principal or assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in a New Jersey public school or in an approved alternate site that serves public school students.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
In August, 2011 the State Board of Education through regulation provided for an alternate route for the certification of superintendents of schools serving in school districts in which the State appoints the superintendent. Under the regulations the State Board of Examiners would issue a school administrator certificate of eligibility (CE) to a superintendent in one of these districts, if that person: holds a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited, four-year college or university; possesses, in the commissioner's view, sufficient management and executive leadership experience in a public or private organization to allow the candidate to successfully administer the State district; and passes a criminal background check. The new regulations also established a five-year pilot program for the issuance of a school administrator CE for a superintendent hired by a school district that is listed as a district in need of improvement as of July 13, 2011 on the Department of Education's Annual Yearly Progress report. Under these circumstances the State Board of Examiners must issue a CE to a candidate for appointment in one of these districts who meets the same alternate route criteria as listed above.
This bill codifies the State Board of Education regulations regarding the requirements for receipt of a school administrator CE, except that the bill specifically does not include the provisions described above which authorize an alternate route and establish the pilot program. The bill provides for the issuance of the school administrator CE to superintendents who: obtain a master's or higher degree; complete a certain number of graduate credits in topics related to the professional standards for school leaders; complete a 15-hour internship in educational leadership; pass a State-approved examination of knowledge; and complete five years of successful educational experience. The bill also includes a provision that permits a New Jersey principal to be eligible for the school administrator CE if the person passes a State-approved examination of knowledge, holds a valid, standard New Jersey principal endorsement, and presents official documentation of five years of successful full-time experience as a principal or assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. This bill would ensure that school districts are directed by individuals with a strong background in educational leadership.
