STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman SHAMA A. HAIDER
District 37 (Bergen)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Dunn and Assemblyman Sauickie
SYNOPSIS
Establishes "VETeach Pilot Program" in DOE to facilitate teacher certification of veterans.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act establishing the "VETeach Pilot Program" in the Department of Education and supplementing chapter 6 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. There is established in the Department of Education a four-year "VETeach Pilot Program." The purpose of the pilot program shall be to address the shortage of certified public school teachers, by taking advantage of the qualified workforce represented by the State's veterans. The pilot program shall facilitate the teacher certification of veterans in order to advance the State's goals of ensuring a qualified public school workforce and addressing the high rate of unemployment among returning veterans.
b. Under the pilot program, Rowan University shall enroll, in a 36-month teacher preparation program, a single cohort of students who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces and who served on or after September 11, 2001. The program shall lead to a baccalaureate degree and completion of the requirements necessary to apply to the State Board of Examiners for a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing.
c. Rowan University shall establish, with the approval of the State Board of Education, the coherent sequence of courses required to be completed by a student under the pilot program in order to be eligible to receive a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing. A certificate of eligibility with advanced standing issued to a student who completes the pilot program shall authorize the student to seek employment as a teacher in grades kindergarten through eight, and in certain secondary education fields.
d. Upon the conclusion of the pilot program, the commissioner shall report to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), on the number of veterans who enrolled in the teacher preparation program established under the pilot program, the number of veterans who were hired as teachers in public or nonpublic schools, and the advisability of the establishment of similar programs on a permanent basis.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes the "VETeach Pilot Program" in the Department of Education. The purpose of the pilot program is to address the shortage of certified public school teachers by taking advantage of the qualified workforce represented by the State's veterans.
Under the pilot program, Rowan University will enroll, in a 36-month teacher preparation program, veterans who served in the armed forces on or after September 11, 2001. The program will lead to a baccalaureate degree and completion of the requirements necessary to apply to the State Board of Examiners for a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, which will authorize the veteran to seek employment as a teacher in grades kindergarten through eight, and in certain secondary education fields.
The "VETeach Pilot Program" will provide veterans with a path to education and employment. Veterans will be able to obtain higher education and employment opportunities, while filling a critical shortage in the teaching profession. The program may also serve to attract a greater number of men and minorities, groups which are currently underrepresented in the teaching profession.