Garden State Times

TRENTON, N.J. – Educators in New Jersey may soon find themselves with more time to focus on teaching rather than paperwork, thanks to a bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis. The bill aims to create the New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force to study and suggest changes to the current public educator evaluation system.

Matsikoudis expressed her belief that the current bureaucracy in the education system is not conducive to improving student learning. She stated, “The bureaucracy of the current system doesn’t help improve student learning.” She also highlighted the feedback she received from teachers, saying, “My district office has been inundated with messages from teachers saying this bill will give them more time to focus on what truly matters: teaching their students.”

The bill, known as S2082/A3413, tasks a 13-member task force with delivering recommendations to the governor and legislature by September 30. These recommendations are expected to be adopted for the 2025-26 academic year. The current public educator evaluation system, established under the TEACHNJ Act of 2012, has required teachers to undergo annual evaluations based on student achievements and classroom observations, a process that often involves significant paperwork and time investment.

Matsikoudis emphasized the importance of the bill in the context of ongoing teacher shortages and the challenges faced by educators. She noted, “While still maintaining important accountability measures, this bill aligns with my overall mission to cut burdensome red tape and improve the quality of dedicated instruction that our K-12 students receive in the classroom.” She expressed hope that the bill would create a better work environment for educators and empower them to support students in reaching their full potential.

The bill has passed the Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature to become law.