Chiamaka Nwede is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science degree in Public Affairs and Community Development at Rutgers-Camden.
The consistent teacher shortage in many states, including New Jersey, has been exacerbated by many factors, including low salary payment, high stress levels, and challenging working conditions. As of today, New Jersey is still struggling to attract and retain qualified teachers, particularly in mathematics, science, and special education. As a result, schools have turned to alternative recruitment methods, including hiring teachers on emergency certifications or relying on long-term substitutes.
In order to address this growing teacher shortage in New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law Assembly Bill 1669, which was effective from January 1, 2025. The bill eliminates the requirement for aspiring teachers to pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam. This exam, which assessed basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, was previously a prerequisite for teacher certification in the state. By removing this requirement, the state hopes to open the door to a broader pool of candidates, including individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and career paths. This policy change is significant given that many New Jersey schools face critical teacher shortages, and the demand for educators is expected to grow in the coming years.
While the policy aims to address teacher shortages, there are concerns about the potential impact on the overall quality of teaching. Some critics of the policy argue that eliminating the Praxis Core exam could result in a less rigorous certification process and lead to hiring candidates who may not have the foundational skills necessary to succeed in the classroom. The Praxis Core exam was designed to ensure that teachers possessed basic literacy and numeracy skills essential for effective teaching and student learning.
However, proponents of the bill contend that the Praxis requirement was a costly and largely redundant barrier to achieve accreditation. In order to receive certification in New Jersey, teachers must “graduate from an accredited teacher preparation program with at least a 3.0 grade point average,” in addition to completing months of student teaching. Further, the Praxis exams can cost hundreds of dollars for potential teachers to have to pay out of pocket, lessening the financial barriers in place to earn accreditation. With the Praxis Core exam no longer posing a barrier to certification, more individuals may feel empowered to pursue a career in education, ultimately contributing to a more diverse and inclusive teaching workforce.
It is my hope that New Jersey schools and state and local governments will continue to consider alternative measures to assess candidates’ skills and competencies. This could include revising other aspects of the teacher preparation process, such as increasing the emphasis on student teaching experience, providing robust professional development opportunities, and incorporating more comprehensive evaluations of teaching effectiveness. Furthermore, schools and the government should remain committed to improving teacher retention through better pay, working conditions, and support systems. This commitment is essential to maintaining high standards in education, even in the face of policy changes.
References:
New Jersey Ends Basic Reading and Writing Skills Test Requirement for Teachers, New York Post. (2025, January 6). New Jersey ends basic reading and writing skills test requirements for teachers. Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2025/01/06/us-news/new-jersey-ends-basic-reading-and-writing-skills-test-requirement-for-teachers
North Jersey – Coverage on Assembly Bill 1669: https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2025/01/07/nj-teacher-shortage-basic-skills-test/77507556007
New Jersey State Policy Lab Rutgers – New Jersey state policy updates: https://policylab.rutgers.edu/june-3-2024-new-jersey-state-policy-updates
Nieto-Munoz, S. (2025, January 10). Officials defend law dropping test requirement for would-be teachers. New Jersey Monitor. https://newjerseymonitor.com/2025/01/08/officials-defend-law-dropping-basic-skill-test-requirement-for-would-be-teachers/