This report provides a high-level overview of New Jersey’s teacher workforce at the state and district levels. While research in this area is progressing, questions remain about the overall supply and demand of the teaching workforce and about the factors that influence teachers’ decisions to enter or remain in teaching positions.
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Van Horn on NJ Spotlight News: United States Economy Slows as Costs Continue to Climb
In an interview with NJ Spotlight News, Rutgers Bloustein School Distinguished Professor Carl Van Horn discusses slowing economic growth, persistent inflation, rising energy costs, and what they mean for workers, employers, and consumers.
What fewer working teenagers could mean for the future workforce
“All things being equal, you’d rather hire a somewhat older person,” said Carl Van Horn, director of the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University. “There’s queasiness or concern on the part of some employers about hiring young people. There may be insurance issues, or perceptions about what young people are like, which may or may not be fair.”
Hetling, Yeo, & McFarland Research Easing Administrative Burden in the Public Safety Net
A study by Rutgers researchers Andrea Hetling, Vee Yeo, and Lillian McFarland found that trauma-informed approaches, strong case management, peer support, and flexible services can make public safety net programs more accessible and effective for survivors.
New NJSDS Report: Noncredit Education in New Jersey
As more adults pursue nondegree pathways for skill development and career advancement, and with the enactment of Workforce Pell in July 2025, which authorizes Pell Grants for training programs as short as 150 hours or eight weeks, the need for clear definitions and reliable data on noncredit education has become increasingly important. Establishing a standardized system will be key to turning these data into actionable information that helps New Jersey maximize the benefits of Workforce Pell.
Economy Long-term unemployment is surging in the U.S. There are hidden costs for workers and the economy
Other than the death of a family member or a close friend, this is one of the most devastating things that people face,” said Carl Van Horn, director of the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University. “It’s a very serious health problem and an economic problem.”
NJ State Financial Aid Outcomes Dashboard Released
The New Jersey Statewide Data System (NJSDS) is pleased to present the first release of the New Jersey State Financial Aid Outcomes Dashboard. This dashboard shows outcomes calculated by linking longitudinal higher education data from the Office of the Secretary of...
Heldrich Staff Receive the 2026 Coleridge Data Champion of the Year Award
“We are grateful to Coleridge for the opportunities to network, collaborate, and learn and are inspired by the work of the other states and their partners. Finally, we hope our experience offers proof that our day-to-day efforts can have a real impact on the people we all serve.”
NJ Postsecondary Employment and Earnings Dashboard Now Available
The New Jersey Statewide Data System is pleased to release its updated Postsecondary Employment and Earnings Dashboard. This dashboard uses linked, longitudinal administrative data from the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and the New Jersey Department of...
STEM Pathways are a Two-Way Street, Not a “Leaky Pipeline”
A new article in the Journal for STEM Education Research challenges the longstanding “leaky pipeline” narrative that has shaped U.S. education and workforce policy for decades. The article, “Reconceptualizing College STEM Pathways: Is ‘Leaving STEM’ the Problem?”, was...