1.   The Legislature finds and declares that:

   a.   Economic development focused on twenty-first century skills in areas related to mathematics and the sciences is critically important to the future of the State; and
 
   b.   Documented shortages of mathematics and science teachers exist in New Jersey and this shortage will negatively impact the State's efforts to provide a workforce well prepared in such fields as engineering, research, and computer technology.
 
   L.2012, c.11, s.1.