Bill Text: NJ S3814 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Establishes emergency teacher endorsements in certain circumstances.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-06-30 - Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Education Committee [S3814 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-S3814-Amended.html
[Second Reprint]
SENATE, No. 3814
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
220th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED MAY 11, 2023
Sponsored by:
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators Stanfield and Diegnan
SYNOPSIS
Establishes emergency teacher endorsements in certain circumstances.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As amended by the Senate on June 26, 2023.
An Act concerning emergency teacher 2[certification] endorsements2 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. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, a chief school administrator, or a designee, 1or the board of directors of a private school for students with disabilities,1 may apply to the executive county superintendent 1or the Commissioner of Education, as applicable,1 for an emergency 2endorsement to an2 instructional certificate for a candidate in a high-need field including, but not limited to, bilingual/bicultural education 2[and special education]2 if the chief school administrator, or a designee, 1or the board of directors of a private school for students with disabilities,1 can demonstrate the inability to locate a suitable certified candidate due to unforeseen shortages or other extenuating circumstances. The executive county superintendent 1or the commissioner, as applicable,1 may approve the application if it is determined that there are no suitable certified candidates to fill the position.
b. To be eligible to receive an emergency 2[instructional certificate] endorsement2 pursuant to subsection a. of this section, a teaching candidate shall, at a minimum:
(1) 2hold a certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, or a standard instructional certificate;
(2)2 be enrolled in 2a coherent sequence of courses in the high-need field at2 an educator preparation program at a regionally accredited four-year institution of higher education in the State;
2[(2) have a bachelor's degree;]2 and
(3) have achieved a passing score on any applicable subject matter knowledge exams.
2A teaching candidate receiving an emergency endorsement pursuant to this section shall not be required to complete the pre-professional component of an educator preparation program.2
c. The 2[certificate] emergency endorsement2 shall be renewable annually up to a maximum of two times at the request of the chief school administrator 1or the board of directors of a private school for students with disabilities1 and approval of the executive county superintendent 1or the commissioner, as applicable1 . Renewal shall be predicated upon demonstration of progress toward successful completion of coursework 2[and tests]2 required 2[for the issuance of a certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, or a standard certificate] through the educator preparation program2. A candidate serving under an emergency instructional certificate shall be employed under emergency certification for no more than a total of three years in any one high-need field regardless of the number of school districts in which the candidate serves.
d. The Department of Education shall publish on its internet website a list of the high-need fields eligible to receive an emergency 2[instructional certificate] endorsement2 pursuant to subsection a. of this section. The State Board of Education shall annually reevaluate the list of high-need fields eligible to receive an emergency 2[instructional certificate] endorsement2 pursuant to subsection a. of this section.
2. a. An emergency 2endorsement to an instructional2 certificate issued pursuant to this act shall be valid for employment only in the school district 1or private school for students with disabilities1 requesting the emergency instructional certificate.
b. A board of education may employ a teacher candidate who has been issued an emergency 2endorsement to an instructional2 certificate pursuant to this act in a full-time or part-time teaching position.
c. No more than 1[10] 201 percent of a board of education's 1or a private school for students with disabilities'1 teaching staff shall be employed with an emergency instructional certificate issued pursuant to this act.
3. The State Board of Education shall adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), any rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this act.
4. This act shall take effect immediately and shall first apply to the first full school year next following the date of enactment.
