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COMMISSIONER
SEEKS TO EXTEND PRE-K TEACHER CERTIFICATION DEADLINE
NJ
Commissioner of Education William Librera filed an application
with the NJ Supreme Court on May 18 requesting an extension
of the September 2004 deadline for certification of all Abbott
preschool teachers.
In
the Court filing, Ellen Frede, Special Assistant for Early
Childhood Education, explains that the extension is needed
for "a small, finite group" of teachers in community provider
programs who "have been working diligently towards attainment
of certification, but are unable to meet the September, 2004
deadline..." Dr. Frede estimates that 1337 of the 1522 teachers
in comminity provider programs are already certified, but
another 125 have made progress and will need more time to
complete their BA degree.
The
September 2004 deadline was established in the Abbott VI ruling
(2000) to meet the Court's mandate for high quality, universal
preschool in the Abbott districts.
The specific
plan presented by Commissioner Librera provides that:
- Teachers
who need less than 30 credits to complete their BA are
eligible for an extension if they present a detailed,
individualized plan to complete their degree by September
2006
- Teachers
who need more than 30 credits are not eligible for the
extension but can apply to the NJ Department of Education
for a waiver of the new September 2006 deadline
- Head
Start teachers in programs contracting under Abbott after
September 2000 are eligible for an extension if they present
a plan to complete their BA degree within four years of
the initial program contract date
Teachers
seeking an extension must file an application with their district,
with supporting materials, no later than July 1, 2004.
The
Association for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) has issued an
Action Alert providing more information
on the extension criteria, and application process and forms.
Teachers are encouraged to immediately contact their district’s
preschool program supervisor, or Cynthia Rice at ACNJ.
Prepared: May 19, 2004
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