By Matthew Harder
Editor’s note: In January, the online publication Tap Into Nutley published an article titled “NJ Teachers No Longer Need to Pass, Reading, Writing, Math Skill Test.” The same publication posted the article on Facebook with the introduction that “Critics warn it may lower education standards.”
One of the critics that Tap Into Nutley quoted was Elon Musk, who took to his platform, X, to say “So teachers don’t need to know how to read in New Jersey? Seems like that would make it challenging to teach kids how to read.”
Some commenters predictably lamented the alleged lowering of standards. Others, like Matthew Harder, a senior at Ramapo College and a member of the New Jersey Aspiring Educators Association, worked to clarify the misunderstandings that came about as a result of these sensationalized claims.
Here’s what he wrote, slightly edited for the Review.
As someone going into education right now and currently student teaching, I just want to add a little context to this post. Prospective teachers are required to pass at least two tests for certification in New Jersey: Praxis I, which will no longer be required, and Praxis II, which is still required. (See for yourself here: bit.ly/nja1669)
Praxis I is the core combined test that assesses basic reading, writing and mathematics. Praxis II is the subject-specific test where we are tested in-depth on our knowledge as it relates specifically to our content areas. Prior to this bill, someone looking to go into elementary education would take their Praxis I exam in reading, writing and math. They would then take their Praxis II exam, which goes much deeper into these subjects (and social studies and science) and the pedagogy involved in teaching them to elementary-aged students.
In my case as a music teacher, I was able to waive my Praxis I requirement because my SAT and ACT scores were high enough to prove that I had a satisfactory grasp of basic reading, writing and math. On my Praxis II exam for music, my content area, I received a score of 194/200. I will be completing my student teaching this May and will be graduating with my degree and certification.
I agree with the authors of this bill on the grounds that requiring the Praxis I exam is redundant as educators are still being adequately tested in the pedagogical approaches and the subjects they wish to instruct via the Praxis II exam.
Additionally, paying for these tests can be expensive for prospective teachers—especially considering that the Praxis I test alone is $150. Moreover, student teachers do not receive any payment for instructing and observing in the classroom for two days out of the week in the fall semester. This is how my program works. I understand other programs may function slightly differently.
Don’t get me wrong: I’m extremely grateful for my student teaching placement and am gaining valuable experience teaching the students and learning from my cooperating teacher, but I am almost working a full-time teaching job every day of the week this semester and not receiving any monetary compensation.
It’s also worth noting that you have to pay tuition for the student teaching experience in the first place. I personally work nonstop on the weekends teaching private lessons all day and taking on music gigs to make up for it. Paying for a Praxis I exam is an unnecessary expense for those going into education.
Matthew Harder is a senior at Ramapo College majoring in music education.