Bill Text: NJ A5417 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Prohibits limiting number of county college credits that may be applied towards educator preparation program and teacher certification requirements.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-1)
Status: (Passed) 2024-01-08 - Approved P.L.2023, c.251. [A5417 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-A5417-Amended.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman PAMELA R. LAMPITT
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
Assemblywoman MILA M. JASEY
District 27 (Essex and Morris)
Assemblywoman LISA SWAIN
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Matsikoudis, Assemblyman Stanley, Assemblywomen McKnight, Reynolds-Jackson, Assemblymen Conaway, Freiman, Wimberly, Assemblywomen Lopez and Carter
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits limiting number of county college credits that may be applied towards educator preparation program and teacher certification requirements.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Higher Education Committee on November 20, 2023, with amendments.
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. 1a.1 Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a Commissioner-approved 1[college]1 educator preparation program shall not restrict the number of semester-hour credits 1[earned in the field of professional education] of professional education coursework completed1 at 1[a] an accredited1 county college that may be accepted toward meeting the 1[program's]1 requirements 1for teacher certification1, except as may be otherwise required by the program's accrediting organization.
1b. As used in this section, "professional education coursework" means coursework required to obtain teacher certification, including courses in child development, language development, curriculum development, and methods of instruction.1
2. 1a.1 The State Board of Education shall not adopt any regulation or policy which restricts the number of semester-hour credits 1[earned in the field of professional education] of professional education coursework completed1 at 1[a regionally] an1 accredited county college that may be accepted toward meeting the requirements for teacher certification, provided that the credits are accepted by a 1[State-approved college professional education] Commissioner-approved educator1 preparation program.
1b. As used in this section, "professional education coursework" means coursework required to obtain teacher certification, including courses in child development, language development, curriculum development, and methods of instruction.1
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
