Current Legislation - March 5, 2012

TENURE BILL S-1455 (Ruiz)    The Senate Education Committee heard for discussion the Teacher Effectiveness and Accountability for the Children of New Jersey (TEACHNJ) Act.  The bill would radically change tenure and seniority, creating two classes of employees and virtually eliminating due process protections.  The Department of Education, numerous education groups and members of the public testified about the bill. This was a hearing only.  The bill is not yet scheduled for a vote in the Senate Education Committee. 

MATH AND SCIENCE PILOT PROGRAM S-1718 (Whelan) This bill would make permanent the pilot that assists teachers with certificates in fields other than math and science receive certificates in these fields.  NJEA supported the original pilot program which allows the NJEA Center for Teaching and Learning to run its Progressive Science Institute course.  The bill, supported by NJEA, was released from the Senate Education Committee with amendments that would include any subject area in which there is a teacher shortage in the State as determined by the US Department of Education.  The bill has been referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.