This bill amends the requirements for teacher candidates seeking an instructional certificate with an elementary school teacher endorsement in New Jersey. It prohibits the Department of Education (DOE) from mandating a minimum score on any individual subtest of a Commissioner-approved test in the subjects of reading and language arts, mathematics, social studies, or science. Instead, the DOE will require candidates to achieve a minimum average score across these individual subtests, with the specific average score to be determined by the Commissioner of Education.

The changes aim to provide a more flexible assessment approach for teacher candidates, moving away from the previous requirement that necessitated passing scores on each individual subtest. This shift is intended to allow candidates to demonstrate their overall competency in the subject areas rather than being penalized for underperforming on a single subtest. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon enactment.