The New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) has announced the allocation of $800,000 to establish the New Jersey Teacher Apprenticeship Program. This initiative aims to assist classroom aides and paraprofessionals in becoming certified teachers.
Ramapo College and Rutgers University in New Brunswick will each receive $400,000 in grant funding. These institutions will collaborate with eight school districts, jointure commissions, and special services school districts. Staff from the DOE and the Department of Labor & Workforce Development will provide oversight and support for these apprenticeships by visiting the school districts.
The grants are intended to create a streamlined pathway for full-time educational support professionals, such as paraprofessionals and instructional aides, to earn their teaching certificates. The funding will help cover costs related to tuition, books, materials, mentorships, and structured on-the-job training.
Participants can typically achieve state teaching certification within two to four years, depending on their prior experience and education level. The program focuses on fields facing significant staff shortages, including special education, science, math, English as a second language, and bilingual education.
Ramapo College will work with the Bergen County Special Services School District and the Morris-Union Jointure Commission. Rutgers University will partner with several organizations: Bound Brook School District; Camden County Educational Services Commission; College Achieve Paterson Charter Schools; iLearn Schools; New Brunswick Public Schools; and Roselle Public School District.
This apprenticeship program follows recommendations from the Task Force on Public School Staff Shortages in New Jersey. The task force was created to propose strategies for increasing the number of K-12 teachers and support staff.
