TITLE

Provisional Teacher Program

HISTORY

Adopted by the State Board of Education in Sept. 1984.

MOTIVATION

The Provisional Teacher Program is intended to enhance both the quantity and quality of teaching candidates.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREAS COVERED

All, except special education, English as a Second Language, and Bilingual Education.

WHO OPERATES

LEAs, supported by colleges of education that are providing formal instruction, with coordination and authority provided by the State Department of Education.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER

To be eligible for employment in the Provisional Teacher Program, applicants must present completion of the following

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
2. For secondary candidates: a major in the subject teaching field (e.g. English, mathematics); For elementary candidates: a major in the liberal arts or sciences.
3. Test requirement -- Applicants for certification in a subject teaching field must pass the appropriate Praxis II Subject Assessment/NTE Programs Specialty Area tests. Applicants for certification in elementary education must pass the NTE General Knowledge test of the Core Battery. Candidates in the following subject teaching fields available through the Alternate Route are exempt from the test requirement: foreign languages other than French, German, and Spanish; earth science; health education; psychology; and vocational education.
4. Cumulative grade point average (GPA) requirement of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Candidates graduating on or after Sept. 1, 2004, will be required to hold a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

Upon completion of the above requirements, a candidate receives a Certificate of Eligibility, which provides the opportunity to seek employment through the Provisional Teacher Program.

When offered employment, applicants are advised of documents required before a provisional license can be issued. A provisional license is required to legalize employment during the 34-week Provisional Teacher Program.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Provisional teachers attend a program of formal instruction that takes place concurrently with employment during the first year. This instruction supplements a program of on-the-job mentoring, support, and evaluation, aimed at developing and documenting the teacher's instructional competency.

Formal instruction consists of approximately 200 hours of study in essential professional knowledge and skills. It is presented after school and/or on Saturdays at a district-operated or state-operated training center.

Mentoring is arranged by the local district and provided by an experienced mentor teacher. Other professionals, as determined by the district, may also participate.

After successful completion of the program, provisional teachers are eligible to be recommended for standard licensure in the teaching area(s) listed in the Certificate of Eligibility. Certificates are issued in subject teaching fields (N-12) and elementary education (N-8).

NO. OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

Approximately 200 clock hours of instruction and 34 weeks of full-time classroom competency development.

WHO EVALUATES

Evaluations are conducted by the school principal or administrative designee. The teacher is evaluated on at least three occasions during the initial year. The first two evaluations are used to aid the teacher's development.

The third and final evaluation is conducted after the provisional teacher has completed 34 weeks of full-time teaching. This last evaluation will contain the principal's recommendation regarding licensure. Recommendations for standard licensure are made by the principal (on forms provided by the New Jersey Department of Education), and are submitted for final action to the State Board of Examiners.

LENGTH OF TIME

34 weeks of full-time employment.