NJ Professional Standards
for Teachers & School Leaders
New Jersey's new professional standards for teachers and school leaders
were adopted by the State Board of Education in December 2003 as part
of the new licensing regulations. These new professional standards
provide a clear vision of the knowledge, performances and dispositions
that teachers and school leaders need to support the learning called for in the revised Core Curriculum Content Standards.
Aligned with the Core Curriculum Content Standards, as well as national
professional standards, New Jersey's professional standards for
educators illustrate the wide range of knowledge and abilities
contemporary educators must possess to provide high-quality instruction
and support improved student results.
Standard #1 (Content): The
teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and
structures of the discipline, as they relate to the New Jersey Core
Curriculum Content Standards (NJCCCS), and designs developmentally
appropriate learning experiences, making content meaningful to
students.
Standard #2 (Instructional Strategies): The
teacher understands and employs a variety of developmentally
appropriate strategies, promoting critical thinking, problem-solving,
and performance skills of all learners.
Standard #3 (Learning Environment): The
teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and
behavior, creating a supportive, safe, and respectful learning
environment that encourages positive social interaction, active
engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
Standard #4 (Assessment): The
teacher understands, uses, and interprets multiple assessment
strategies to evaluate and advance the performance of all students and
to determine program effectiveness.
Standard #5 (Human Growth and Development): The
teacher demonstrates an understanding of how children develop and learn
and provides opportunities, supporting the intellectual, social,
emotional, physical, and developmental needs of all students.
Standard #6 (Partnerships): The
teacher demonstrates a knowledge of effective parental involvement,
understands the partnership roles between the school and the community,
and collaborates with colleagues, families, and other members of the
community in order to develop effective relationships supporting
student learning and well-being.
Standard #7 (Diverse Learners): The
teacher understands that children learn in diverse ways and adapts and
modifies instruction, accommodating the learning needs of all students.
Standard #8 (Communication): The
teacher uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media
communication techniques, fostering the use of inquiry, collaboration,
and supportive interactions.
Standard #9 (Instructional Planning): The
teacher understands instructional planning, and designs long- and
short-term plans that incorporate subject matter knowledge and reflect
grade-level curriculum expectations.
Standard #10 (Professional Community): The
teacher participates as an active, responsible member of the
professional community, engaging in a wide range of reflective
practices, pursuing opportunities to grow professionally, and
establishing collegial relationships to enhance the teaching and
learning process.
To see all the knowledge and performance indicators please link to the following site: http://www.state.nj.us/njded/profdev/standards/
