New Jersey has eliminated the requirement for aspiring teachers to pass a basic skills test in reading, writing and math. The change, which took effect Jan. 1, is part of a new law aimed at addressing the state’s teacher shortage.
Under Act 1669, signed into law by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, the state has removed the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam. The assessment tested basic skills in reading, writing and math. The law is intended to streamline the teacher certification process and make it easier for more people to enter the profession.
The New Jersey Education Association supported the removal of the literacy test, calling it “a barrier” for aspiring teachers.
So teachers don’t need to know how to read in New Jersey?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 5, 2025
Seems like that would make it challenging to teach kids how to read. https://t.co/xpkJo6swt1
However, the change has drawn some criticism online, including from Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who posted on X, “So teachers don’t need to know how to read in New Jersey? Seems like that would make it challenging to teach kids how to read.”
While the new law eliminates the basic literacy exam, aspiring teachers in New Jersey will still need to meet other qualifications, such as holding a bachelor’s degree and passing specialized tests in their subject areas.
New Jersey’s move is part of a broader trend across the country, as states adjust certification requirements in an effort to address teacher shortages. The U.S. is facing a deficit of nearly 600,000 teachers since the pandemic, according to The Hechinger Report. An additional 270,000 positions are currently filled by underqualified teachers, according to the advocacy group Teachers of Tomorrow.
The shortage is exacerbated by teacher burnout and turnover. A Gallup survey found teachers have the highest burnout rate among all industries.
Several other states have enacted similar measures to address the teacher shortage. California issued an emergency executive order allowing parents to become substitute teachers by meeting two requirements, having a degree in any field and passing a background check.
Washington, Texas and Pennsylvania also have emergency teacher certification protocols. Arizona passed a law allowing educators to begin teaching before graduating from college.
New York and North Carolina were among the first states to eliminate the literacy test for teachers. However, more than 40 states still require the exam New Jersey recently got rid of.
Last year, the U.S. Department of Education announced a five-year plan to improve teacher recruitment and retention. However, the future of that plan is uncertain, as President-elect Donald Trump has discussed ways to reform the education system, including dismantling the Department of Education.
