NJ A3529

Creates a competitive grant program through the Department of Education to fund at least two nonprofit organizations that recruit, train, place, and retain teachers in underserved school districts over three school years

Appropriates $6 million from the General Fund to the Department of Education, deposited into a non-lapsing fund

Grants match private contributions raised by selected organizations, up to $1 million per organization per year for three consecutive years

Defines underserved school districts as those where at least 40% of students qualify as at-risk pupils and experiencing teacher workforce shortages as determined by the Commissioner

Grant selection criteria include program merits, potential to improve student outcomes, teacher retention strategies, existing district partnerships, and implementation feasibility