New Jersey Teachers Union Calls For End Of Basic Skills Test For Teachers
New Jersey Teachers Union Calls for Elimination of Basic Skills Test
The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), one of the state’s main teachers unions, is advocating for the end of the basic skills test for certifying teachers. The NJEA believes that this test, known as the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading, Writing, and Math, is an unnecessary barrier that hinders efforts to alleviate teacher shortages.
We need you to take action! Last year, NJ eliminated the edTPA, a barrier to becoming a certified teacher. Now it’s time to eliminate another barrier: the basic skills test for teachers. Urge Gov. Murphy to sign S1553 right away. #WEareNJEA https://t.co/XH694Vq7Eq
— NJEA (@NJEA) November 8, 2023
The NJEA argues that when the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) made changes to the administrative code for teacher certification, they missed an opportunity to eliminate this requirement. According to the NJEA, teachers should not have to pass this test before entering the profession.
The passing scores for the basic skills test are 156 for reading, 150 for math, and 162 for writing. However, certain educators are exempt from taking the test if they achieve high scores on the SAT, ACT, or GRE, or if they hold a master’s or terminal degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Nicki Neily, founder and president of Parents Defending Education, disagrees with the NJEA’s stance. She believes that teachers should be able to pass a basic skills test before they are responsible for educating children in core subjects.
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You can eliminate some of the unnecessary red tape around becoming a teacher without eliminating a basic skills test.
Teachers should be able to pass a basic skills test before they’re tasked with educating children in those core subjects. https://t.co/pJjTltuoQl
— Nicki Neily (@nickineily) November 14, 2023
Last year, the NJEA successfully advocated for the elimination of another teacher certification test, the educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA). They criticized the edTPA as a costly and unnecessary hindrance to addressing the teacher shortage.
The NJEA represents over 200,000 active and retired educators in New Jersey. Governor Phil Murphy has shown support for the NJEA’s efforts, speaking at their conference and praising their advocacy in reducing teacher shortages.
Murphy acknowledged the NJEA’s influence in securing funding for recruiting and training educators, providing stipends for student teachers, expanding paraprofessional training through local partnerships, and waiving teacher certification fees for thousands of educators.
Additionally, Murphy expressed his intention to reduce the bureaucratic burden of Student Growth Objectives (SGOs), which are long-term academic goals set by teachers in collaboration with supervisors. The governor’s remarks received applause from the NJEA conference attendees.
The governor also addressed critics of public educators, referring to them as “extremists” seeking to insert political ideology into schools. He assured the NJEA that he supports their work unconditionally.
During the NJEA’s annual convention, which coincided with the call to eliminate the basic skills test, the union made headlines for hosting a drag queen story hour. All schools closed for the convention, allowing educators to attend.
This week dozens of schools in New Jersey closed as teachers attended the @NJEA convention. What did teachers do at this conference while thousands of kids stayed home from school?
They were treated to drag shows, drag queen storytime, and “banned books” discussions featuring… pic.twitter.com/07R6o6UdQe
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 12, 2023
How do supporters of the basic skills test justify its importance in ensuring teacher competence?
Teacher’s path to certification. The NJEA argues that instead of relying on standardized tests, teacher certification should focus on more comprehensive measures of a teacher’s abilities, such as evaluations from mentors and supervisors, as well as classroom observations.
Supporters of the basic skills test argue that it is an important tool for ensuring that teachers have the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to effectively educate students. They believe that passing a basic skills test demonstrates a teacher’s competency in core subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, which are fundamental to their ability to teach and prepare students for success.
However, the NJEA believes that the basic skills test disproportionately affects aspiring teachers from marginalized communities. They argue that the test perpetuates systemic inequities in education by creating additional barriers for teachers of color and teachers from low-income backgrounds. According to the NJEA, the test does not accurately assess a teacher’s ability to effectively teach and connect with students.
The NJEA’s call for the elimination of the basic skills test is not without precedent. Several other states, including Arkansas, West Virginia, and Georgia, have already removed similar tests as a requirement for teacher certification. In these states, the focus has shifted towards more holistic evaluations that consider a teacher’s performance in the classroom and their ability to connect with students.
Critics of the NJEA’s stance argue that eliminating the basic skills test would lead to a lowering of standards for teacher certification. They believe that ensuring teacher competence in core subjects is essential for providing students with a quality education. Without a basic skills test, there is a risk that individuals who lack the necessary knowledge and skills may enter the teaching profession.
The debate surrounding the basic skills test for teacher certification highlights broader concerns about the state of education in New Jersey and across the country. As teacher shortages continue to plague schools, it is crucial to find innovative solutions that both ensure teacher quality and address the systemic barriers that prevent individuals from pursuing careers in education.
Ultimately, the decision to eliminate or retain the basic skills test for teacher certification in New Jersey will have far-reaching implications for the education system. It is a complex issue that requires careful consideration of the impact on aspiring teachers, students, and the overall quality of education. As the NJEA advocates for the elimination of this test, it is important for stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions and consider alternative measures that can accurately assess a teacher’s competency while working towards a more equitable and inclusive education system.
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