34 Newly Prepared Physics and Chemistry Teachers to Provide Exciting Educational Opportunities for Their Students*

June 24, 2017 was an important day in the lives of 34 New Jersey teachers. Twenty-six teachers graduated from the Progressive Science Initiative® (PSI®) Endorsement Program in physics, taught by the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), and eight teachers graduated from the PSI Endorsement Program in chemistry. These teachers can now go on to earn their endorsement to teach physics, or chemistry, by passing the required  Praxis tests and submitting their paperwork to the New Jersey Department of Education, granting them the ability to teach any physics or chemistry course in the state.

Physics and chemistry are critical building blocks for a powerful mastery of STEM. Unfortunately, they are also subjects from which many students, particularly those from underserved backgrounds, are currently deprived due to a critical lack of teachers.

CTL’s Endorsement Program empowers teachers from every academic background to learn and teach physics and chemistry. CTL is the #1 producer of physics teachers in the U.S. and a major producer of chemistry teachers, with 218 teachers getting their physics endorsement and 50 teachers getting their chemistry endorsement in conjunction with mastering the PSI coursework to date.  However, the need remains great, as less than 40% of U.S. high school students currently have access to physics classes.

All currently employed, certified teachers in the state of New Jersey are eligible to work toward physics and chemistry endorsement through online CTL coursework, along with comprehensive support from the CTL team. You can learn more here: https://njctl.org/teacher-education/programs/

* Please note that this content has been updated to more accurately reflect CTL’s actual role in supporting New Jersey physics and chemistry teacher candidates in the state’s certification process.