Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt Announces 12-Bill Package to Address NJ Teacher Workforce Shortage

Assembly Education Committee Chair Pamela Lampitt on Thursday announced the introduction of a twelve-bill legislative package designed to alleviate the ongoing teacher shortage that has affected schools across the nation and in New Jersey by reducing barriers to entry for aspiring educators and offering critical support to existing teachers. Chairwoman Lampitt was joined by members of New Jersey’s education community to formally announce the legislative package, which represents the culmination of over seven months of collaboration between teachers, administrators, parents, students, and legislators. Following the announcement, the Assembly Education Committee met to advance seven of the measures. “All across New Jersey, school communities are grappling with the ongoing challenge of staffing their classrooms as the demand for qualified educators continues to dramatically outweigh the supply. Teachers are foundational to the success of our schools and our students. We must do everything within our power to place skilled educators in classrooms, ensuring students can learn and thrive in our best-in-the-nation public schools,” said Assemblywoman Lampitt (D-Camden, Burlington), Chair of the Assembly Education Committee. “With this legislative package, we are addressing the complex issues currently plaguing the education profession and breaking down identifiable barriers that have long stood in the way of otherwise capable professionals entering, or remaining part of, New Jersey’s teacher workforce.” Although the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this crisis, contributing factors behind the growing teacher shortage—such as stressful working conditions and the high cost of education and certification—have been taking a toll on the profession for many years. The package takes aim at several root causes of the persisting crisis by seeking to fill vacancies in the field and retain existing teachers. Among the bills introduced are measures to make it more affordable and less time consuming to secure the degrees and certifications necessary to instruct students. Additional legislation aims to uplift those already working in the education field by establishing a pathway to certification for paraprofessionals and support professionals who want to become teachers.