A 4236 — Designates accounting as STEM subject for various educational and other programs.

A4236 1R [First Reprint] ASSEMBLY, No.

  CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT      As introduced.reported by the Assembly Education Committee on June 15, 2026, with amendments.

P.L.2021, c.239, s.2)        4. 1[4.  Section 1 of P.L.2019, c.256 (C.18A:6-137) is amended as follows:

P.L.2022, c.119, s.1)s.1)]1        5. 14.  Section 21 of P.L.2019, c.256 (C.18A:6-138)(C.18A:6-137) is amended to read as follows:

     1.    As used in sections 2 through 5 of P.L.2019, c.256 (C.18A:6-138 through C.18A:6-141):

     "Eligible teacher" means an individual who is employed as a teacher in a public school and who meets one of the following criteria:

(1) holds a valid and effective provisional or standard instructional certificate issued by the State Board of Examiners with an endorsement in a science field, mathematics, including accounting, technology education, computer science education, or other STEM subject or area;

(2) is currently enrolled in a degree program or a coherent sequence of courses in science, mathematics, including accounting, technology, computer science, or other STEM subject or area;

(3) will enroll in a degree program or a coherent sequence of courses in science, mathematics, including accounting, technology, computer science, or other STEM subject or area within two years of the effective date of P.L.2019, c.256 (C.18A:6-137 et seq.) or within two years of participating in the grant program established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2019, c.256 (C.18A:6-138);

or (4) is currently employed by a public school district to teach in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics, including accounting, computer science field, or other STEM subject or area and will teach a subject and a grade level in the nonpublic school for which the teacher holds appropriate certification, including certification without a specific subject matter endorsement where permitted by N.J.S.18A:26-1 et seq.

     “Eligible retired teacher” means an individual who was previously employed as a teacher in a public school and is receiving a retirement allowance under the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund for reasons other than disability, and who holds a valid and effective standard instructional certificate issued by the State Board of Examiners with an endorsement in a science field, mathematics, including accounting, technology education, computer science education, or other STEM subject or area.                       “Eligible county college faculty member” means an individual who is currently employed as a faculty member at a county college teaching a course in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, including accounting, computer science, or other STEM subject or area and who participates in a collective bargaining agreement.

     "Nonpublic school" means an elementary or secondary school within the State, other than a public school, offering education for grades kindergarten through 12, or any combination of them, wherein any child may legally fulfill compulsory school attendance requirements and which complies with the requirements of Title VI of the "Civil Rights Act of 1964," Pub.L.88-352 (42 U.S.C.

s.2000d et seq.).

     "Valid objection" means an explanation of why a school district disapproves of an eligible teacher currently employed by the school district from entering into a partnership with a participating nonpublic school.  A school district with a valid objection shall cite, with sufficient supporting proof, as determined by the Commissioner of Education, one or more of the following reasons:

     a.     the proposed teaching hours at the nonpublic school conflict with the teacher's public school work responsibilities and no resolution could be found after consulting with the teacher and nonpublic school;

or      b.    approval of a proposed partnership between the nonpublic school and teacher would otherwise substantially impact the quality of student instruction in the school district.1 (cf:

P.L.2025, c.317, s.1)        1[5.  Section 2 of P.L.2019, c.256 (C.18A:6-138) is amended to read as follows:

P.L.2019, c.256, s.2)s.2)]1        6. 15.  Section 2 of P.L.2021,P.L.2019, c.282c.256 (C.18A:64O-2)(C.18A:6-138) is amended to read as follows:

     2.  a.  There is established in the Department of Education a grant program in which an eligible teacher employed by a school district may receive additional remuneration, pursuant to the provisions of section 3 of P.L.2019, c.256 (C.18A:6-139), and an eligible retired teacher or eligible county college faculty member may receive renumeration, pursuant to the provisions of section 4 of P.L.2025, c.317 (C.18A:6-139.1), to teach science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, including accounting, (STEM) classes, or other STEM subject or area at a nonpublic school.  Under the program, participating nonpublic schools shall form partnerships with eligible teachers and school districts, as applicable, or with eligible retired teachers, eligible county college faculty members, and the nonprofit selected pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2025, c.317 (C.18A:6-139.1), as applicable, and under which partnerships an eligible teacher, eligible retired teacher, or eligible county college faculty member teaches STEM classes at the nonpublic school at such times and during such hours mutually agreed upon by the teacher, nonpublic school, and school district, which may include hours beyond regular public school day hours such as extended day, evening, or weekend programming.

     b.    The purposes of the grant program administered pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2019, c.256 (C.18A:6-139) shall be to:

incentivize current teachers to obtain the necessary qualifications to teach STEM subjects;

incentivize individuals to enter the teaching profession to fill the demand for qualified educators in STEM subjects;

assist in addressing the difficulties public and nonpublic schools face in attracting qualified educators in the STEM fields;

increase the earning potential of teachers in public schools;

improve retention among public school teachers;

and improve Statewide access to education in the STEM fields to address the workforce demands of New Jersey's economy.

     c.     A school district annually shall notify all teachers employed by the district of the grant program administered pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2019, c.256 (C.18A:6-139), and shall submit a list of all eligible teachers that express an interest in participating in the program to the executive county superintendent by January of each year.  The executive county superintendent shall share the lists with nonpublic schools upon request.1 (cf:

P.L.2025, c.317, s.2)        6.  Section 2 of P.L.2021, c.282 (C.18A:64O-2) is amended to read as follows:

P.L.2021, c.282, s.61)        8.

P.L.2019, c.431, s.3)        9.  Section 2 of P.L.2018, c.142 (C.18A:71C-67) is amended to read as follows:

P.L.2019, c.401, s.2)        11.  Section 4 of P.L.2019, c.401 (C.18A:71C-77) is amended to read as follows:

    STATEMENT        This bill amends statutory law to designate accounting as a STEM subject.  STEM is referenced in law in regard to various State programs including:

a grant program to provide eligible teachers additional remuneration to teach STEM classes at nonpublic schools;

the Accessing Careers in Engineering and Science (ACES) Program to increase participation of unrepresented students in STEM fields and develop a more diverse STEM workforce;

a loan redemption program for teachers who teach STEM classes;

a tuition reimbursement program for teachers of STEM subjects;

and a grant program to support funding for adult apprenticeship programs in high-growth industries including STEM.

     The common perception of the accounting profession as a numerical-based profession of financial record keeping and analysis is outdated.  The modern accounting profession leverages science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to drive efficiency, enhance accuracy, provide deeper insights into financial performance, optimize business processes, manage risks, and ensure compliance in a technologically driven business environment.

Recognizing accounting as a STEM discipline acknowledges its heavy reliance on technology, its strong foundation in mathematics and statistics, and its focus on problem-solving and critical thinking.