At its October meeting, the State Board of Education heard updates, and took action on the following items:
Standards and Assessment—The state board adopted revised language concerning standards and assessments. The amended N.J.A.C. 6A:9 updates the statewide system of education that prepares students for college, career, and life in an information-driven economy, with a focus beyond basic skills to critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity. This chapter includes the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in the nine content areas, benchmarked indicators that clarify student achievement goals, and 21st-century themes and skills integrated across all subjects. It establishes academic standards and assessment practices designed to ensure high-quality education, student achievement, and continuous improvement in educational outcomes for all students. The amendments update various definitions and requirements across the content areas.
School Nursing Licensure—The state board began discussions on a proposal to add a valid multistate registered professional nurse license issued by the licensing board of a state that is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) as an option for the required professional license. The proposed amendments should help address school nurse shortages by enabling holders of a valid multistate registered professional nurse license to be eligible for the school nurse endorsement, school nurse/non-instructional endorsement, and substitute school nurse/non-instructional credential. Increasing the pool of registered nurses who are eligible for the endorsements and the credential should ease the burden on school districts to fill open staff positions related to nursing services for students and teaching in areas related to health in preschool through grade 12.
