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. A four-year public institution of higher education wishing to participate in the pilot program shall submit an application to the Commissioner of Education in a form prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner shall select up to four institutions to participate in the pilot program.

c. Under the pilot program, a participating four-year public institution of higher education 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.

d. A participating four-year public institution of higher education 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.

e. 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.

L.2023, c.215.