Bill Text: NJ S1039 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Requires teacher preparation program for instuctional certificate to include certain amount of instruction or clinical experience in special education and for students with disabilities endorsement to include credit hours in autism spectrum disorder.*

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-11-16 - Reported from Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading [S1039 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2014-S1039-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 1039

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JANUARY 30, 2014

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  M. TERESA RUIZ

District 29 (Essex)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires teacher preparation program for instructional certificate to include certain amount of instruction or clinical experience in special education and for students with disabilities endorsement to include credit hours in autism spectrum disorder.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Senate Education Committee on November 16, 2015, with amendments.

  

An Act concerning special education 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.    In addition to any other requirements adopted by the State Board of Education for teacher preparation programs, the State board shall require that the preparation program for an instructional certificate include a minimum of ¹the equivalent of¹ 6 semester credit hours ¹of classroom instruction, clinical experience, including student internships, or a combination thereof,¹ in special education. 

 

     2.    ¹[a.  The]  In addition to any other requirements adopted by the State Board of Education for teacher preparation programs, the¹ State Board of Education shall ¹[develop an autism spectrum disorder endorsement that authorizes the holder to teach special education to students with autism.  In addition to the content areas that the teacher's endorsements authorize, the holder of an autism spectrum disorder endorsement also may provide consultative services and supportive resource programs including modification and adaption of curriculum and instruction to students with autism in general education programs in grades preschool through 12. 

      b.   The State  board shall establish requirements for teacher preparation programs for the autism spectrum disorder endorsement] require that the preparation program for an instructional certificate with a teacher of students with disabilities endorsement shall include credit hours in autism spectrum disorder and evidence-based instructional practices to address the educational needs of students with autism¹.

 

     ¹[3. A teacher holding the Students with Disabilities endorsement issued by the State Board of Education prior to the effective date of P.L.   , c.    (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) may continue to teach students with autism in grades preschool through 12 if the teacher can demonstrate to the school district at which the teacher is employed content knowledge appropriate to the content and the content level to be taught.]¹ 

 

     ¹[4.] 3.¹     The State Board of Education shall adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), the rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions

of this act.

 

     ¹[5.] 4.¹     This act shall take effect immediately.