Legislative announcements or changes in other states' education policies

New Jersey's Act 1669 Ends Praxis Core Test Requirement for Teachers

Jan 5, 2025, 04:07 PM

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has signed Act 1669 into law, which eliminates the requirement for aspiring teachers to pass the Praxis Core Test, a basic skills exam assessing reading, writing, and mathematics. The law, effective January 1, 2025, was included in the state's 2025 budget and aims to address a teacher shortage. Democratic lawmakers, including State Senator Jim Beach, argue that removing such barriers is essential to attract more teachers. The New Jersey Education Association, a prominent teachers' union, supported the legislation, calling the test an 'unnecessary barrier' to entering the profession. While the basic skills test is no longer required, some subject-specific certification exams remain mandatory for certain teaching positions. Additionally, an alternative certification pathway was previously established to circumvent the basic skills test.