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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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:
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
approval of a proposed partnership between the nonpublic school and teacher would otherwise substantially impact the quality of student instruction in the school district.