Written by Matthew Walker.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) recently signed a controversial law that effectively removes the requirement for aspiring teachers to pass basic reading, writing, and math skills tests. This law, Act 1669, went into effect on January 1, 2025, after sailing through the state Senate with a 34-2 vote. Supporters, primarily Democrats, argue that the change addresses a critical teacher shortage, but critics are calling it a lowering of educational standards that could have long-term consequences.

The removed test, known as the Praxis Core, has been labeled by the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) as an “unnecessary barrier” for entering the teaching profession. According to the NJEA, a standardized test can’t fully measure a person’s ability to teach. While general skills testing is no longer required, some subject-specific tests remain for those teaching specialized areas like mathematics or biology.

State Sen. Jim Beach (D), who sponsored the bill, said the law is aimed at getting more teachers into classrooms quickly. “We need more teachers. This is the best way to get them,” he stated. But not everyone is buying that logic. Nicki Neily, president of Parents Defending Education, fired back, claiming that the real goal is to shield teachers’ unions from accountability. “Teachers unions don’t want teachers to demonstrate basic competency,” Neily said.

What’s the Real Cost of “Streamlining”?

This isn’t the first time Governor Murphy has softened certification requirements for educators. Back in 2023, he approved an alternative certification pathway that bypassed the same basic skills test. A year later, he removed the Education Teacher Performance Assessment, describing it as another “barrier” in the path to becoming a teacher. To many, it’s starting to look like a pattern: lowering the bar to fill vacancies, regardless of what that might mean for the quality of education.

The NJEA, representing 200,000 active and retired education professionals, has been vocal in its support for these measures. They argue that easing certification hurdles will attract more people into teaching, ultimately solving the shortage. However, critics say that ignoring basic competency requirements will do more harm than good. After all, if teachers don’t need to prove they can handle basic math or write coherently, what message does that send to the students they’re supposed to inspire?

Take a moment to picture this: a teacher struggling to solve a basic algebra problem in front of a classroom full of high schoolers. Or an educator who can’t draft an error-free email to parents. These scenarios might sound like exaggerations, but critics fear they could become all too real under the new rules.

Teachers’ Unions: Advocates or Enablers?

The NJEA’s stance has sparked heated debates. The organization insists that a “one-off standardized test” isn’t an accurate measure of teaching ability. While there’s some merit to the argument—teaching does require more than just good test-taking skills—opponents say that eliminating the test entirely undermines the profession’s credibility.

Nicki Neily has been particularly outspoken about this, warning that the unions are prioritizing their own interests over the needs of students. By removing accountability measures, she argues, the unions are ensuring job security for educators who might not meet basic standards. “It’s not about solving the teacher shortage,” Neily contended. “It’s about protecting their own.”

And let’s not forget the ripple effect. If New Jersey’s approach gains traction, other states might follow suit. What starts as a local issue could quickly spiral into a nationwide trend of watered-down teaching qualifications.

Our Take

This decision by New Jersey’s leadership is a risky gamble that puts convenience over quality. Sure, it might help fill classrooms in the short term, but at what cost? If educators aren’t required to prove they have basic skills, how can we expect them to prepare students for a competitive world?

Teaching is a profession that should demand excellence, not excuses. Lowering standards not only insults the hard-working educators who meet and exceed them but also sets a dangerous precedent. Students deserve teachers who are equipped to help them succeed, not just warm bodies to fill a vacancy. By removing these tests, New Jersey risks undermining the entire educational system.

If this trend continues, don’t be surprised if the next wave of policies lowers the standards for students, too. After all, if their teachers don’t need to know the basics, why should they?