Bill Text: NJ A3991 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Directs State Board of Education to authorize general science endorsement to instructional certificate.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-03-07 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee [A3991 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-A3991-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman MICHAEL VENEZIA
District 34 (Essex)
Assemblywoman CARMEN THERESA MORALES
District 34 (Essex)
Assemblywoman LINDA S. CARTER
District 22 (Somerset and Union)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Bailey, Assemblywomen McCoy, Collazos-Gill, Bagolie, Katz, Assemblymen Tully, Sampson, Assemblywomen Reynolds-Jackson, Tucker and Hall
SYNOPSIS
Directs State Board of Education to authorize general science endorsement to instructional certificate.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
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. As used in this section, "instructional certificate" means a certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, provisional certificate, or standard instructional certificate.
b. The State Board of Education shall authorize a general science endorsement to an instructional certificate. The endorsement shall authorize the holder to teach any science course in grades nine through 12.
c. In order to be eligible for an instructional certificate with a general science endorsement established pursuant to subsection b. of this section, a candidate shall:
(1) possess a bachelor's degree or a master's degree in biology, chemistry, physics or a related field, as determined by the Commissioner of Education;
(2) achieve a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0, or its equivalent;
(3) pass a commissioner-approved basic skills test;
(4) pass a commissioner-approved subject matter test, if applicable; and
(5) meet any other requirements as established by the commissioner.
d. A teacher who currently holds a biological science, chemistry, earth science, physical science, or physics endorsement to an instructional certificate and meets the requirements established pursuant to subsection c. of this section shall be authorized to apply for an instructional certificate with a general science endorsement.
2. 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.
3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall first apply to the first full school year following the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill directs the State Board of Education to authorize the issuance of a general science endorsement to an instructional certificate. The endorsement authorizes the holder to teach any science course in grades nine through 12. The bill defines "instructional certificate" as a certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, provisional certificate, or standard instructional certificate.
The bill requires a candidate seeking an instructional certificate with a general science endorsement to: (1) possess a bachelor's degree or a master's degree in biology, chemistry, physics, or a related field; (2) achieve a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0, or its equivalent; (3) pass a Commissioner of Education-approved basic skills test; (4) pass a commissioner-approved subject matter test, if applicable, and (5) meet any other requirements as established by the commissioner.
Under the bill, a teacher who currently holds a biological science, chemistry, earth science, physical science, or physics endorsement to an instructional certificate may apply for an instructional certificate with a general science endorsement provided the teacher meets the requirements set forth in the bill.
