Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 6, March 18, 2024
(a) The school library media specialist (SLMS) endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a school library media specialist in preschool through grade 12. The functions include: delivery of instruction in information literacy skills; the development and coordination of school library media programs and resources; and the delivery of instruction in the evaluation, selection, organization, distribution, creation, and utilization of school library media. Media are defined as all print, non-print, and electronic resources, including the technologies needed for their use.
(b) To be eligible for a CE with the SLMS endorsement, a candidate shall hold a master's degree in library media studies from an accredited college or university.
(c) To be eligible for a CEAS with the SLMS endorsement, a candidate shall hold a master's degree from an accredited college and complete the following:
1. Hold a standard New Jersey or out-of-State instructional certificate. A military science endorsement will not satisfy this requirement;
2. A Department-approved graduate program that specifically prepares the candidate for the certificate; or
3. A program of graduate studies consisting of a clinical experience that includes instruction and management, which shall be completed in a school library media center, and a minimum of 36 semester-hour credits in a coherent sequence of studies, including the following:
i. Organization and coordination of school library media programs, resources, and instruction to provide a sequential course of study for students;
ii. Application of learning theory to reading, listening, and viewing library media resources;
iii. Access, evaluation, selection, and utilization of library media resources;
iv. Design and development of multimedia materials;
v. Design, development, and integration of information literacy skills and the library media program throughout the school curriculum;
vi. Integration of educational resources and technology throughout the school curriculum;
vii. Children's literature and young adult literature;
viii. Development and implementation of policies and procedures for effective and efficient acquisition, cataloging, processing, circulation, and maintaining equipment and resources to ensure equitable access;
ix. Development, implementation, and evaluation of library media programs to meet educational goals, including management of library personnel, resources, and facilities; and
x. Utilization of current and emergent technologies in all phases of school library media programs.
(d) To be eligible for a provisional educational services certificate with a SLMS endorsement, the candidate shall:
1. Possess a CE or CEAS with the SLMS endorsement; and
2. Obtain an offer of employment in a position that requires the SLMS endorsement.
(e) To be eligible for the standard educational services certificate with a SLMS endorsement, a candidate shall:
1. Possess a provisional educational services certificate with a SLMS endorsement pursuant to (d) above;
2. Complete a coherent 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 the SLMS endorsement are exempt from this requirement;
3. Complete graduate-level coursework in the school library media topics at (c)3 above that were not included in the candidiate's library media master's program. Holders of a CEAS with the SLMS endorsement are exempt from this requirement;
4. 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; the development and coordination of school library media programs and resources; and the delivery of instruction in the evaluation, selection, organization, distribution, creation, and utilization of school library media.
(1) A 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.
(f) 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 in the agreement and consistent with (a) above. The residency supervisor also shall evaluate and verify the completion of all required experiences according to the residency agreement's terms and conditions.
(g) Upon completion of the residency period, the supervisor shall complete a comprehensive evaluation report on the candidate's performance based on the candidate's ability to complete the job duties at (a) above and to implement the theoretical concepts at (c)3 above. The supervisor shall discuss the evaluation report with the candidate and both shall sign the report. The residency 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 a SLMS endorsement;
2. Insufficient: Recommends a standard educational services certificate with a SLMS 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 a SLMS endorsement not be issued. The candidate shall be precluded from continuing or re-entering a residency.
(h) 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.
(i) The holder of a standard educational services certificate with an associate school library media specialist (ASLMS) endorsement shall be eligible for the SLMS upon completion of the requirements at (c)3 above.
(j) Upon the executive county superintendent's request, the Office may issue an emergency certificate to a candidate who has a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and has completed a minimum of 12 graduate-level semester-hour credits in school library media.
(k) An individual who holds one of the following shall be eligible for the standard certificate with a SLMS endorsement:
1. A permanent New Jersey school librarian or standard certificate with an educational media specialist endorsement; or
2. A standard certificate with an ALMS endorsement. The candidate also shall complete a graduate-degree program at an accredited college or university with specialization in school library media studies.
(l) Individuals holding the school librarian or educational media specialist endorsement may serve in any position requiring the SLMS endorsement.
