One of New Jersey’s largest teachers unions is calling for the end of the basic skills test for certifying teachers.
The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) is advocating for the removal of the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading, Writing and Math.
NJEA allegedly called the test “an unnecessary barrier” contributing to teacher shortages across the state.
“When the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) adopted changes to the administrative code around teacher certification, it missed an opportunity to eliminate this requirement, which created an unnecessary barrier to entering the profession,” NJEA said.
Nicki Neily, founder and president of Parents Defending Education, said that there were better options for overcoming the teacher shortage other than reducing entry standards.
“Teachers should be able to pass a basic skills test before they’re tasked with educating children in those core subjects,” Neily said.
If New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signs Bill S1553 into law, the skills test would no longer be a requirement.
From The Daily Wire:
NJEA successfully advocated for the end of another teacher certification test last year, the educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA). NJEA criticized the edTPA as a costly, discriminatory, and unnecessary hindrance to overcoming the teacher shortage.
