At its April 8, 2026, meeting, the State Board of Education discussed several topics. No members of the public were present to testify on invited topics, but open public testimony will be held at the State Board’s next meeting on May 6. Registration for public testimony will open on the State Board’s website before the meeting.
Resolutions: The Board adopted three resolutions, including:
Petition for rulemaking: The State Board received a petition for rulemaking on Jan. 6, 2026. The petition requested that the State Board adopt new rules at N.J.A.C. 6A:9A to restore rules as they existed at N.J.A.C. 6A:9A-5.6 prior to their readoption with amendments in 2023. Prior to readoption, the section allowed certificate of eligibility (CE) educator preparation programs to be developed to serve school districts to place teachers in documented areas of teacher shortage; allowed CE educator preparation programs to be established by New Jersey colleges and universities, educational organizations, or other entities approved by the Commissioner; and established the requirements for CE educator preparation programs for documented areas of teacher shortage to be approved by the Commissioner and for candidates seeking admission into the programs. As part of the 2023 readoption with amendments at N.J.A.C. 6A:9A, NJDOE changed the purpose of N.J.A.C. 6A:9A-5.6 to allow existing approved educator preparation programs within New Jersey colleges and universities, educational organizations, or other entities approved by the Commissioner to establish add-on endorsement programs designed to prepare current certified teachers to earn a CE in mathematics and/or science. The petitioner requested that the former rules be reinstated to allow the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning (NJCTL) to continue operating its programs beyond 2027, thereby enabling NJCTL to create additional programs and encouraging other institutions of higher education to develop documented shortage-area educator preparation programs.
The State Board acknowledged receipt of the petition for rulemaking and, following review by the President and in consultation with the Commissioner, determined that further deliberations are required before acting on the petition. The matter was referred for further deliberations for an additional period of no more than 90 days.
Presentation on Limited CE/CEAS Pilot Program: The Office of Recruitment, Preparation and Certification provided a presentation on the Limited Certificate of Eligibility (CE) and Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) five-year pilot program, which was established through P.L.2021, c.224. The Department provided the report for informational purposes only, and the Board did not take any related action. The report highlighted that 3,445 instructional certificates have been issued through the first four years of the pilot program, and 1,922 teachers with Limited Certificates are working in approved districts. 79% of these individuals are working in their certification area, an increase from 37% in the first year of the pilot program. About one-quarter of Limited Certificate holders are serving in high-need shortage areas, concentrated most heavily in ESL, Math, and Science. Educators holding Limited Certificates demonstrated median student growth outcomes comparable to those of novice teachers with non-limited certificates.
Presentation on Universal Literacy Screeners: The Office of Learning Equity and Academic Recovery provided a presentation on the initial implementation of the universal literacy screening legislation (P.L.2024, c.52). The Department provided the report for informational purposes only, and the Board did not take any related action. The presentation highlighted that 76% of local education agencies are using approved screeners and that the Department has more data at its disposal due to the implementation of literacy screeners, which will help it make better data-informed decisions. The NJDOE recently announced three grant opportunities to support local education agencies in literacy instruction.
Certification of school districts: The State Board approved 38 districts for certification pursuant to NJQSAC guidelines (district list here).
Proposed Revisions to the New Jersey Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards: The Office of Preschool Education Programs provided a presentation on the proposed revisions to the New Jersey Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards (NJPTLS). According to the Department, the proposed revisions: 1) align the preschool standards with the developmental trajectory of K-12 education to align with the kindergarten domains and strands; 2) ensure a seamless and age-appropriate continuum of learning and update standard names and numerals to be consistent with the K-12 Student Learning Standards; and 3) update the preschool standards with current terminology and research. The Department’s timeline anticipates adoption of the revisions by the State Board this summer.
Comments on military science endorsement: The State Board did not consider any new or pending regulatory proposals. Through Executive Order No. 7, issued on Jan. 23, Gov. Sherrill placed a 90-day pause on the proposal or adoption of any rules. However, the State Board is currently accepting written comments on proposed amendments at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B, State Board of Examiners and Certification, to remove the 20-year service requirement and to clarify that military science endorsement candidates must hold a current and valid certification or letter of eligibility issued by the appropriate branch of the United States military authorizing the individual to serve as a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) instructor for that branch. Members of the public may send in written comments concerning the notice by April 18, 2026, via the Department’s Administrative Code and Statute webpage
