New Jersey § 18a:26-35

§ 18a:26-35.

a. Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, the State Board of

Education shall not require a candidate for a certificate of eligibility with advanced

standing or a certificate of eligibility to complete a Commissioner of Education approved

performance-based assessment, including, but not limited to, the edTPA, as a condition

of eligibility for a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, a certificate

of eligibility, or a standard certificate. An educator preparation program shall require candidates to complete a performance-based

assessment approved by the educator preparation program, embedded within the educator

preparation program, beginning with candidates who will complete their educator preparation

program in the Spring of 2024. b. Notwithstanding any provision of this section or of any law, rule, or regulation

to the contrary, a person who earned a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing

or a certificate of eligibility during the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, or 2021-2022 school

years, and who was unable to complete a Commissioner of Education approved performance-based

assessment due to abrupt changes in teaching placements or modalities, asynchronous

virtual learning environments, school district policies, or other restrictions or

disruptions caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency, shall be exempt from the

requirement to complete a performance-based assessment as a condition of earning a

standard certificate, verified in a manner determined by the commissioner. c. As used in this section: “ Certificate of eligibility ” means an instructional certificate with lifetime validity issued by the State Board

of Examiners to candidates who meet degree, academic, and applicable test requirements

for teacher certification. “ Certificate of eligibility with advanced standing ” means an instructional certificate with lifetime validity issued by the State Board

of Examiners to candidates who meet degree, academic, and test requirements for teacher

certification and complete an educator preparation program. “ Performance-based assessment ” means a multi-measure assessment process where candidates demonstrate the pedagogical

knowledge and skills identified in the New Jersey Professional Standards for Teachers

and their content knowledge and skill in teaching to the New Jersey Learning Standards

in the grade band and subject area of a certificate sought. “ Standard certificate ” means a permanent instructional certificate issued by the State Board of Examiners

to persons who meet all instructional certificate requirements. d. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations pursuant to

the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c. 410 ( C.52:14B-1 et seq. ) necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act.