§ 15-240 — High-quality teacher professional development program; annual report; definitions

A. The department of education shall establish a high-quality teacher professional development program and, subject to available appropriations, may issue scholarships or grants, or both, on a competitive basis as determined by the department, to qualified applicants in order to obtain high-quality teacher professional development from a qualifying postsecondary institution that will support certificated teachers in gaining additional credentials and certifications to teach in high-need content areas. Scholarships and grants issued pursuant to this subsection may not exceed $2,000 per qualified applicant. Any qualified applicant who receives a scholarship or grant pursuant to this subsection shall agree to teach in a public school in this state for at least three additional years after completing the coursework or program at a qualifying postsecondary institution. A qualified applicant who accepts a scholarship or grant pursuant to this subsection and who does not teach in a public school in this state for at least three additional years after completing the coursework or program at a qualifying postsecondary institution shall pay back the full amount of the scholarship or grant in a manner to be determined by the department. The department may retain up to three percent of the monies appropriated for the program to offset administrative costs.

B. On or before November 1 of each year, the department of education shall submit to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives a report that summarizes the results of the program. The department shall provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

C. For the purposes of this section:

1. "High-need content area" means any science, technology, engineering or mathematics or career and technical education content.

2. "Qualified applicant" means a teacher who is certificated in this state by the state board of education pursuant to section 15-203 and who is currently teaching in a public school in this state.

3. "Qualifying postsecondary institution" means a regionally or nationally accredited public or private postsecondary educational institution in this state.