Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Division: Field Support and Services

Office:  Recruitment, Preparation and Certification 

View Published NGO Document (Microsoft Word)

Purpose: 

The intent of the Paraprofessional grant program is to support eligible Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) to recruit and support paraprofessionals with a bachelor’s degree pursuing teacher certification through the alternate route pathway, in line with the recommendations of the Task Force on Public School Staff Shortages in New Jersey which was created under Governor Murphy’s Executive Order #309. As part of the NGO application process, applicants with approved educator preparation programs (EPPs) will submit plans aligned to the recommendations of the task force and address the following:

1. Establish and/or expand a partnership with at least one high poverty school district to support a cohort of paraprofessionals with a bachelor’s degree seeking teaching certification through an alternate route pathway. This may prioritize one of the teacher shortage areas (e.g., special education, bilingual education, career and technical education (CTE), English as a Second Language (ESL), science, and math), though it is not a requirement.
2. Develop specific plans to supplement coursework. These plans should include, but not be limited to, designing targeted training and workshops for paraprofessionals, providing weekly opportunities for them to lead classroom instruction (if the candidate is not the Teacher of Record), offering bimonthly feedback from both the EPP and an experienced mentor, and providing opportunities to attend teaching conferences.
3. Create a sustainability model to provide tuition reimbursement to paraprofessionals through new or existing funding opportunities beyond the conclusion of the grant, ensuring that paraprofessionals can complete the second year of the alternate route pathway.
4. Formulate a funding model to reduce or eliminate unnecessary program costs and fees over the course of the two years for paraprofessionals seeking certification.

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has established a twelve (12) month grant program. This limited-competitive grant program is open to IHE’s with an approved educator preparation program (EPP) located in the state of New Jersey. IHEs must provide evidence of successful implementation of programs that remove barriers for paraprofessionals to become certified in New Jersey public school districts. The IHE must apply on behalf of the partnership that includes at least one high poverty school district. The partnership may also include additional school districts, IHE’s and other educational or community organizations

Based on the availability of FY25 state appropriations, this grant program will begin June 1, 2025, and will end on May 31, 2026. Applicants may apply for up to $260,000.

Eligible Agencies: Institutions of Higher Education with an educator preparation program

Number of Award(s) Anticipated: 5

Total Amount Available: $1,300,000

Application Due Date: 5/15/2025