ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
ASSEMBLY, No. 4361
with committee amendments
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: DECEMBER 14, 2023
The Assembly Education committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4361 with committee amendments.
As amended, 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, a participating four-year public institution of higher education 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.
Under the amended bill, a four-year public institution of higher education that wishes to participate in the pilot program is to submit an application to the Commissioner of Education in a form prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner is to select up to four institutions to participate in the pilot program.
As amended and reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 4361 is identical to Senate Bill No. 2764, which was also amended and reported by the committee on this date.
COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:
The committee amended the bill to:
· permit up to four, four-year institutions of higher education to participate in the pilot program. Under the bill as introduced, the pilot program was to take place only at Rowan University; and
· direct a four-year public institution of higher education that wishes to participate in the pilot program to submit an application to the Commissioner of Education in a form prescribed by the commissioner.