The New Jersey Leadership for Excellence in Education Group, comprised of all the major education stakeholders – NJPSA, in addition to the NJ Education Association (NJEA), NJ School Boards Association (NJSBA), NJ Association for School Administrators (NJASA), and the NJ Parent Teacher Association (NJPTA), jointly issued a statement that calls on school leaders and school districts to host college students are completing practicum requirements. The New Jersey Department of Education issued a similar plea earlier this year (NJDOE, Continued Benefits for Student Teaching Under AchieveNJ, April 16, 2013).
Districts have been hesitant to accept student teachers in light of the number of new responsibilities facing school leaders and districts. Nonetheless, ensuring this critical element of teacher preparation continues is essential to not only the student teacher, but their presence demonstrates that New Jersey’s educational community is united and determined to provide the best possible learning environmental today and in the future.
NJPSA urges our members to consider this critical need.