NJ S4231

Department of Education must establish a program providing financial and other support to help school districts develop "grow-your-own" teacher programs that train and hire current non-certified district employees as teachers of students with disabilities

School districts applying for support must demonstrate their shortage of special education teachers, commit district funds toward participants' certification costs (including tuition and fees), and outline training, mentoring, and job flexibility provisions for participating employees

DOE must prioritize districts with the greatest shortages of teachers of students with disabilities and approve at least one district from each of the northern, central, and southern regions of New Jersey

Selected districts must make good faith efforts to hire and retain program participants after they become certified and provide ongoing mentoring and support to new teachers of students with disabilities