NJ S2233

Allows school administrators to apply for emergency endorsements for teachers in high-need fields, including bilingual/bicultural education, when certified candidates cannot be found due to unforeseen shortages.

Eligible candidates must already hold a certificate of eligibility or standard instructional certificate, be enrolled in coursework at an accredited four-year institution in the high-need field, and pass applicable subject matter exams.

Emergency endorsements can be renewed annually up to two times, for a maximum of three years total in any one high-need field, contingent on demonstrating progress toward completing required coursework.

The endorsement is valid only for employment at the specific school district or private school that requested it, and no more than 20 percent of a school's teaching staff may hold emergency endorsements.

The Department of Education must publish a list of eligible high-need fields online, with the State Board of Education reevaluating the list annually.