CS Certification

Information current as of June 2024

bit.ly/cscertnj

Ben Isecke

• Computer Science teacher at the Bergen County Academies
• Taught CS for 14 years
• Taught a lot of CS classes: intro, AP CS A, processor design and architecture, cybersecurity, computational theory, functional programming, machine learning, and many, many more
• Founding president of our newly joined NJ CSTA chapter, CSTANJ. My advocacy within the chapter has focused a great deal on statewide curriculum and licensing. I developed this course as part of that advocacy
• Board of Advisors for The Coding School

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Computer Teacher, 25+ years

CS Teacher, Grades K - 5, nine years

Computer Teacher, Middle and HS, 16 years

Spotswood, New Jersey

Vice President, CSTANJ

Chair, CSPDWeek New Jersey

CSTA Standards and Conference Committees

CSTA Teaching Excellence Award 2023

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Paige Besthoff

Please be advised, the information we are providing is for informational purposes only

Who needs a license?

1. Any K-6 teacher who will teach computer science more than 50% of their teaching time.
2. Anyone who will teach computer science in grades 7-12.

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When will the license be needed?

All of these requirements kick in in September of 2027.

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What is required for a license?

Everyone:

• Pass the Computer Science Praxis Test
• Possess a teaching certification
• CS is an add-on certificate, it can’t be your primary license

What is required for a license?

Grandfathered option:

• Candidates who hold standard certificates and teach computer science as of September 1, 2024, shall be eligible for the computer science endorsement if they:
• Have received two effective or highly effective ratings in teaching computer science within the last four years; and
• Pass the appropriate State test of computer science content knowledge.

What is required for a license?

Regular license option:

• Take 15 credits in a university program to license computer science teachers
• Note that it is possible to get a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) in CS
• Then have 12 additional months from your first teaching assignment to complete the 15 credits
• Should include a 3-credit “methods” class

There is at least one school that now offers a 15 credit program.

The Praxis Test

Praxis Test Requirement

• Computer Science: Content Knowledge (5652)
• Passing score - 149

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How to Register for a Praxis Test

• Put in your zip code or choose "test from home" if you want to do it at home. 
• Recommendation - go to the test site if at all possible

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The Praxis Test

2 Practice Questions, 3:36 timer

READY?

2 Practice Questions, 3:36 timer

Assuming that n is the length of both arrays A and B, what is returned by the following function?

int[] workUpon(int[] A, int[] B, int n)

int[] C ← new int[n]

for (int i ← 0; i < n; i ← i + 1)

C[i] ← A[i] + B[i]

end for

return C

end workUpon

A. It finds the element-wise maximum of the two arrays.

B. It adds the corresponding elements of arrays A and B and returns the result in array C.

C. It concatenates arrays A and B.

D. It subtracts elements of array B from array A and returns the result in array C.

A programmer has written a procedure calculateAverage(x, y) that calculates the average of two integer values x and y.

Given:

int a ← 4  

int b ← 6

int c ← 8

int d ← 2

Consider the execution of the following sequence of calls:

result ← calculateAverage(calculateAverage(a,b),calculateAverage(c,d))

What is the final value of result? Fill in the answer below:

2 Practice Questions, 3:36 timer

Assuming that n is the length of both arrays A and B, what is returned by the following function?

int[] workUpon(int[] A, int[] B, int n)

int[] C ← new int[n]

for (int i ← 0; i < n; i ← i + 1)

C[i] ← A[i] + B[i]

end for

return C

end workUpon

A. It finds the element-wise maximum of the two arrays.

B. It adds the corresponding elements of arrays A and B and returns the result in array C.

C. It concatenates arrays A and B.

D. It subtracts elements of array B from array A and returns the result in array C.

A programmer has written a procedure calculateAverage(x, y) that calculates the average of two integer values x and y.

Given:

int a ← 4  

int b ← 6

int c ← 8

int d ← 2

Consider the execution of the following sequence of calls:

result ← calculateAverage(calculateAverage(a,b),calculateAverage(c,d))

What is the final value of result? Fill in the answer below:

B

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The Computer Science certificate requirement information is available on the NJDOE website

• Go to "Instructional Certificates"
• Computer Science (1820)
• If you have a teaching certificate in another subject go to "Standard".
• There are three options under standard depending if you taught Computer Science before

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The Computer Science certificate requirement information is available on the NJDOE website

• Go to "Instructional Certificates"
• Computer Science (1820)
• "CE" and "CEAS" are for individuals getting into teaching and want to get a full certification to teach Computer Science
• "CTE" (4148) is a different certification process only for those who teach in CTE programs.
• More information at the same website under "Career and Technical Education Certificates" (below "Instructional Certificates")

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Application

Educators can apply for the computer science certificate on NJEdCert

• Take the Computer Science Praxis (5652)
• Get a passing score of 149 before applying
• You will need your ETS Candidate ID number
• Meet the other requirements
• Teach CS for 2 years or course work - see previous slide
• Have your current teacher certification available, you will need the number at the top when taking the Physiology and Hygiene Exam (about 15 basic common sense questions )
• Screenshot the submission, you will need to upload the screenshot when asked

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Which license?

The license number is not readily visible, but you can select the license when you start a new application.

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Note that it is “Computer Science” and NOT “Computer Science Technology”.

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Computer Science Technology is the CTE license, and is needed for (and only valid for) Career and Technical Education schools.

Transcripts

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• Need your transcripts to show GPA (undergraduate & graduate if applicable)
• Must be in digital form, they won’t accept paper copies
• National Students Clearinghouse:
• www .getmytranscript .com . Transcripts
• If you can only get paper copies
• Request them in a sealed envelope
• Have mailed to you
• Bring to your county Department of Education
• They will scan, upload to the website and return originals to you

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Check Your Application

1. Make sure to click on the three lines on the top left
2. Then click All of My Data

3. Go through all your data
4. Check for deficiencies
5. Also check My Biographical Information

Tips and Tricks

• If you apply for certification before taking the Praxis, once you pass the Praxis you will have to go to your Biographical Information, delete your Praxis ID and reenter the ID in order for your test score to be uploaded.
• Make sure your school district uploaded the ROPE form and your last two evaluations.
• Your district must specify that you have been teaching Computer Science for two years.

Tips and Tricks

• CS Praxis was basically a combination of AP CSA and AP CSP, make sure you are familiar with the Java Pseudocode
• Take the Praxis at a test site. Many have been frustrated with at home testing
• Take a Praxis workshop offered by the CS Hubs
• Get a tutor

Need Help

• When you logon to NJEdCert you will see a list of all your certifications
• You can Contact Customer Service and they will open a case
• You will receive an emailed response

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Please be advised, the information we are providing is for informational purposes only.

If you have additional questions after reviewing the NJDOE website, you should call the NJDOE Office of Certification.

• The number is 609-292-2070.
• Hours M - F 8:00 am - 7:00 pm.
• They suggest calling after 5:00 pm
• Office of Educator Evaluation edueval@doe.nj.gov

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Good News

Not Everyone Has Applied

Receiving Certification

NJEA Webinar June 2024

NJEA - Computer Science Certification June 2024.pdf

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Praxis Review Resources

The PRAXIS® Study Companion - Computer Science (5652)

Harvard CS50: Introduction to Computer Science

Harvard CS50's Web Programming with Python and JavaScript

Compuscholar

NJCTL

Take the Practice Praxis, it is free from ETS when you register to take the exam.

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Upcoming Workshops

Intro to Praxis Pseudocode for K-8 Teachers

• FOUR-PART WORKSHOP: January 8, January 15, January 22, and January 29, 2025; 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM each session
• Location: Virtual via Zoom
• Receive $200 stipend for attending workshop in full (all 4 sessions)
• Facilitator: Ben Isecke
• Register Professional Development | Central NJ CS Ed Hub

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CSTANJ

https://newjersey.csteachers.org/

Contact us at NewJersey@csteachers.org

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CS Certification

Information current as of June 2024

bit.ly/cscertnj