N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:9B-14.15 - Associate school library media specialist

(a) Effective September 1, 2027, the Department will no longer issue the associate school library media specialist (ASLMS) endorsement.

1. A candidate who is matriculated and enrolled in classes in a State-approved education preparation program prior to June 1, 2023, and is recommended by their educator preparation program no later than August 31, 2027, shall be eligible for the ASLMS endorsement.

2. Applicants in possession of a written evaluation completed by the Office prior to June 1, 2023, shall have until August 31, 2027, to complete the requirements set forth in the written evaluation. A candidate who does not apply to the Office by August 31, 2027, shall not be eligible for the ASLMS endorsement.

(b) The endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a school library media specialist in preschool through grade 12 under the supervision of a certified school administrator, principal, or supervisor. The functions include: delivery of instruction in information literacy skills; the development and coordination of school library media programs and resources; and instruction in the evaluation, selection, organization, distribution, creation, and utilization of school library media. These media are defined as all print, non-print, and electronic resources, including the technologies needed for their use.

(c) To be eligible for a CE with the ASLMS endorsement, a candidate shall have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one of the following:

1. A Department-approved graduate program that specifically prepares the candidate for the certificate; or

2. A program of graduate studies consisting of at least 18 semester-hour credits in a coherent sequence of studies, including the following:

i. Access, evaluation, selection, and utilization of library media resources;

ii. Organization and coordination of school library media programs, resources, and instruction to provide preschool through grade 12 students with a sequential course of studies;

iii. Children's literature and young-adult literature;

iv. Design, development, and integration of information literacy skills throughout the school curriculum;

v. Design and development of multimedia materials;

vi. Utilization of current and emergent technologies in all phases of school library media programs; and

vii. A clinical experience that includes instruction and management. This experience shall be completed in a school library media center.

(d) To be eligible for a CEAS with an ASLMS endorsement, a candidate shall complete the requirements at (c) above and one of the following:

1. Hold a standard New Jersey or out-of-State instructional certificate. A military science endorsement shall not satisfy this requirement;

2. Complete a State-approved college educator preparation program with or without clinical practice; or

3. Complete a coherent college program at an accredited college or university that includes a minimum of nine semester-hour credits in educational theory, curriculum design and integration, teaching methodology, student/learning development, and behavior management.

(e) To be eligible for a provisional educational services certificate with an ASLMS endorsement, the candidate shall:

1. Possess a CE or CEAS with an ASLMS endorsement; and

2. Obtain an offer of employment in a position that requires the ASLMS endorsement.

(f) To be eligible for the standard educational services certificate with an ASLMS endorsement, a candidate shall:

1. Possess a provisional educational services certificate with an ASLMS endorsement pursuant to (e) above;

2. Complete a coherent college program at an accredited college or university that includes a minimum of nine semester-hour credits in educational theory, curriculum design and integration, teaching methodology, student/learning development, and behavior management. Holders of a CEAS with an ASLMS endorsement are exempt from the study requirements; and

3. Complete a year-long school-based residency program in a school library media center. The residency program shall:

i. Consist of a supervised residency that includes professional experiences in the delivery of instruction in information literacy skills and the development and coordination of school library media programs and resources. In addition, the residency includes the delivery of instruction in the evaluation, selection, organization, distribution, creation, and utilization of school library media.

(1) A certified school administrator, principal, or supervisor shall provide supervision during the candidate's provisional year. An experienced school library media specialist shall mentor the candidate throughout the residency. If no experienced SLMS is available within the school district to mentor the candidate, an experienced SLMS may be provided by a Commissioner-approved mentoring program; and

ii. Be agreed upon through a Department-issued residency agreement outlining the responsibilities as set forth in this section and entered into by the Department, the employing school, the candidate, and the residency supervisor.

(g) The residency supervisor shall have primary responsibility to ensure the candidate receives appropriate training, support, mentoring, practicum experiences, and professional opportunities in the critical job responsibilities specified at (b) above. The residency supervisor also shall evaluate and verify the completion of all required experiences according to the residency agreement's terms and conditions.

(h) Upon the residency period's completion, the supervisor shall complete a comprehensive evaluation report on the candidate's performance based on the candidate's ability to complete the job responsibilities at (b) above and to implement the theoretical concepts at (c)2 above. The supervisor shall discuss the evaluation report with the candidate and both shall sign the report. The supervisor shall submit the completed evaluation to the Office. The evaluation on each candidate shall include one of the following recommendations:

1. Approved: Recommends issuance of a standard educational services certificate with an ASLMS endorsement;

2. Insufficient: Recommends a standard educational services certificate with an ASLMS endorsement not be issued, but the candidate be allowed to continue the residency or seek admission to an additional residency. Except for candidates who receive approval pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.13(d), a candidate who receives a second insufficient recommendation shall be precluded from continuing or re-entering a residency; or

3. Disapproved: Recommends a standard educational services certificate with an ASLMS endorsement not be issued. The candidate shall be precluded from continuing or re-entering a residency.

(i) If the candidate disagrees with the residency supervisor's recommendation, the candidate may appeal the recommendation in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.12.

(j) Upon the executive county superintendent's request, the Office may issue an emergency certificate to a candidate who completes a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of six graduate semester-hour credits in school library media.

(k) Policies governing the ASLMS endorsement are as follows:

1. The holder of a standard or permanent New Jersey teacher-librarian or the associate educational media specialist endorsement shall be eligible for the ASLMS endorsement.

2. The holder of the teacher-librarian or associate educational media specialist endorsement shall be eligible for an extension of the authorization to carry out the functions of the ASLMS authorization.

(l) Any certificate holder who holds the standard ASLMS endorsement prior to August 31, 2027, and the endorsement remains in good standing, may be employed pursuant to the endorsement, as authorized.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:9B-14.15

Amended and recodified from 6A:9B-12.15 by 47 N.J.R. 2989(a), effective 12/7/2015 Amended by 55 N.J.R. 853(a), effective 5/1/2023