In a move that has sparked nationwide debate, New Jersey has eliminated the Praxis basic skills test for teacher certification, a decision that recently gained unexpected attention from tech mogul Elon Musk. Signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy in June 2024, the legislation aims to address the state’s long-standing teacher shortage by removing what lawmakers view as a duplicative and costly barrier to entering the education profession.
The law went into effect on January 1, 2025, with minimal initial controversy. However, Musk’s social media post questioning whether New Jersey teachers “need to know how to read” brought the policy into the national spotlight. The post, viewed nearly 20 million times, triggered a heated discussion about teacher qualifications and educational standards.
Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, a key supporter of the bill, strongly defended the change. She emphasized that the Praxis exam is just one of many hurdles prospective teachers must clear. To obtain certification in New Jersey, candidates must still graduate from an accredited teacher preparation program with at least a 3.0 GPA, complete months of student teaching, and pass multiple subject-specific exams.
“My largest concern was the extra expense for teachers just starting out,” Fantasia explained. The eliminated test was an additional financial burden on aspiring educators, costing hundreds of dollars at a stage when many are already struggling with student loans and entry-level salaries.
The move is part of a broader national trend. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, states like Oklahoma and Arizona have implemented similar measures to ease teacher shortages. New Jersey’s approach reflects a growing recognition of the challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified educators.
Governor Murphy’s office has been unapologetic about the change. Natalie Hamilton, a Murphy spokeswoman, stated that the Praxis Core requirement was redundant and its removal was recommended by a public school staff shortage task force. “We are disappointed by out-of-state agitators that want more red tape,” she added.
The New Jersey Education Association has also supported the move, viewing it as a positive step toward addressing the state’s educational workforce challenges. While the debate continues, the law represents a significant shift in how the state approaches teacher certification.