An important regulatory change is now in effect in New Jersey schools to create more science teachers. But many local education officials are unaware of the new policy.

As of May, the number of credits needed for certified New Jersey science teachers to add an endorsement to teach an additional science was cut in half, from 30 to 15, reports the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning (NJCTL).

That means, for example, that a teacher certified to teach biology needs only 15 credits in physics or chemistry to become certified to teach that additional subject. 

“While the credit requirement has been reduced, the content knowledge to earn the new endorsement hasn’t changed; the teacher still needs to pass the Praxis II examination in each new science subject,” explained NJCTL Executive Director Bob Goodman. “That’s the same for anyone, regardless of their current certifications and pathway.” 

Goodman said the new policy makes sense because there is significant overlap among higher education courses for individuals to qualify as science teachers. It’s no longer necessary to take 90 credits in science to be able to teach physics, chemistry, and biology. Under this change, 60 credits suffice, 30 for their original science certification and 15 for each add-on endorsement.

This is a great example of how a teacher shortage problem can be solved by innovative thinking, for which the state Department of Education and the New Jersey State Board of Education should be applauded. A barrier has been lowered without compromising quality.

Previous credit requirements made it impractical for teachers to teach multiple sciences. 

“It is challenging, if not impossible, for smaller schools to have teachers with the necessary certifications so that all students would have access to all subjects,” Goodman said. “Also, this will be a great help for special education.” State regulations require that special education teachers holding the Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD) certificate be certified in each subject they teach, including in each separate science. (That was not the case for holders of the previous Teacher of the Handicapped (TOH) certificate.) This new change will make that much more practical for TOSDs.

Since 2009, NJCTL has supported educators adding endorsements to teach new subjects in science and mathematics, including current science teachers adding additional science endorsements. This new regulation will make it faster, easier and less expensive for science teachers.

NJCTL’s website offers free diagnostic tests in physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics so that anyone can see if they need to learn more to pass the Praxis and, if so, which NJCTL course(s) teach that material. 

NJCTL courses are all 100% online and asynchronous. They are available for audit as self-study courses which are free to NJCTL members or as credit-bearing graduate courses for $180 per credit ($144 per credit for NJEA members. Membership requires a $95 tax-deductible donation to NJCTL, a nonprofit charitable organization.)

NJCTL is licensed by the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education as an institution of higher education and is currently seeking accreditation by an accreditor recognized by the federal Department of Education. Recently, the state education department agreed to treat NJCTL credits as equivalent to those of accredited institutions as part of its effort to improve access to science and mathematics while maintaining quality and sparing teachers and districts the cost of transcription fees.