Bill Text: NJ A586 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires social studies teachers to complete training in African-American studies.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-10 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee [A586 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-A586-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2012 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman L. GRACE SPENCER
District 29 (Essex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Coutinho
SYNOPSIS
Requires social studies teachers to complete training in African-American studies.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
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. Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, a candidate for a social studies endorsement to a New Jersey instructional certificate shall have satisfactorily completed three credits in African-American studies at an accredited institution of higher education.
b. Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, a person seeking a social studies endorsement through the alternate route shall, within one year of being employed, satisfactorily complete three credits in African-American studies at an accredited institution of higher education.
c. A teacher of social studies curriculum who is not subject to the provisions of subsections a. or b. of this section shall complete a continuing education course in African-American studies by the 2010-2011 school year.
d. The State Board of Education shall promulgate regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to implement this act, including, but not limited to, the criteria for courses which will satisfy the requirements of subsections a., b. and c. of this section.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would require social studies teachers to complete training in African-American studies. Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, a candidate for a social studies endorsement to a New Jersey instructional certificate, or a person seeking certification through the alternate route, would be required to complete satisfactorily three credits in African-American studies at an accredited institution of higher education. A teacher not subject to the certification requirements set forth in this bill would be required to complete a continuing education course in African-American studies by the 2010-2011 school year.
The bill also requires the State Board of Education to establish through regulation criteria for the courses which a candidate for certification or a current teacher must complete to satisfy the bill's requirements.
