NJ Teachers No Longer Required To Pass Reading, Writing Tests

This article was originally published by WokeSpy. Click here to read in full. 

By Shay Bottomley

Teachers in New Jersey will no longer be required to read and write at a basic level after a new law came into effect.

As of Wednesday, Jan. 8, teachers will not need to pass a basic reading, writing and mathematics test which assesses their literacy skills to a sixth-grade level. The new law, Act 1669, was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in June 2024.

The law states, “[T]he State Board of Education shall not require a candidate seeking a certificate of eligibility, a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, a provisional certificate, or a standard instructional certificate to complete a Commissioner of Education-approved test of basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills including, but not limited to, the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test, in order to obtain a certificate of eligibility, a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, a provisional certificate, or a standard instructional certificate.”

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Other states have similar measures to deal with teacher shortages. California allows parents to become substitute teachers by meeting two requirements, having a degree, and passing a background check. Washington, Pennsylvania, and Texas also have emergency protocols, while others have removed other barriers to entry.

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