The NJ State Board of Education met this week in what turned out to be another lengthy meeting as they continued their discussion of Chapter 9 rulemaking (including N.J.A.C. 6A: 9, 6A:9A, 6A:9B, and 6A:9C). As you know, this chapter addresses preparation, licensure, professional development, and professional standards for teachers and school leaders. The Department of Education presented to the State Board of Education, at Second Discussion level, further agency initiated amendments to the mammoth code. NJDOE’s proposed amendments address the following areas:
- Accreditation,
- Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Periodic Review,
- Certificate of Eligibility with Advance Standing (CEAS) Educator Preparation Programs,
- Certificate of Eligibility (CE) Educator Preparation Programs,
- Options for candidates to demonstrate core competencies (basic skills),
- Pathways for teachers to add endorsements in high-need areas,
- Interstate reciprocity, and
- Enhanced professional development and mentoring through multiple formats for professional learning, alignment to Learning Forward’s Standards of Professional Learning, assurance that professional learning supports student achievement in academic, social and emotional learning, inclusion of educational interpreters and early childhood, and consistent mentoring frequency.
The Department intends to present a Third Discussion at the next meeting of the State Board, on October 12th, 2022. The State Board is currently accepting written comments on the Chapter 9 code proposal. If you would like to submit comments, you may send them via email to: stateboardoffice@doe.nj.gov, or by using the comment links on the proposed rules webpage. For more information or assistance on the proposed amendments, the Department is available via email: Chapter9@doe.nj.gov, Chapter9A@doe.nj.giv, Chapter9B@doe.nj.gov, Chapter9C@doe.nj.gov.
Also at yesterday’s meeting, the Commissioner made four Appointments to the NJDOE:
- Ralph Hoag as the Director of the Office of Strategic Operations
- Dr. Christopher Irving as the Assistant Superintendent leading the Division of Field Support and Services
- Dr. Julie Bunt for the position of Chief of Staff
- Ken Bond as the Director of Educator Effectiveness
NJPSA continues its association-wide review of the proposed code. NJPSA established a Certification code committee in January to gain member feedback on the numerous issues impacting the shortage of staff in the certification code. Ron Durso, a Bergen County science supervisor chairs this committee and invites all interested members to join the next meeting of this important committee on September 30th at 10AM. To register for the meeting, please contact Assistant Director of Government Relations Jennie Lamon at jlamon@njpsa.org.