§ 17:7.4 — Continuing education program for paraprofessionals; tuition

Louisiana § 17:7.4

• Jurisdiction: Louisiana
• Title 17: Credit Union Law

Text

§7.4. Continuing education program for paraprofessionals; tuition
exemptions; rules and regulations; eligibility; reporting; repayment for
noncompletion of courses
A. The Department of Education, with the approval of the State Board
of Elementary and Secondary Education shall establish a program to assist
teachers' aides and other paraprofessionals who work in state-approved
elementary and secondary schools to meet the qualifications for certification
as a teacher. Such program shall include provisions under which the
paraprofessional may apply to be exempt from tuition for required teacher
training courses at a public college or university in the state or at a nonpublic
institution listed in R.S. 17:7.3(A)(1). Such exemption shall be applicable to
no more than one course per applicant per semester or quarter in the fall and
spring and to no more than two courses in a summer session. However, upon
approval by the local school superintendent, such exemption shall be
applicable to two additional courses per applicant per semester or quarter in
the fall and spring and to two additional courses in a summer session. In no
case may state funds be used toward tuition for courses in theology or divinity.
B. The amount of tuition paid shall be limited to the registration fee
and building use fee per semester hour, provided that the amount paid by the
state to any nonpublic school for tuition shall not exceed the highest tuition
charged for that course by a public college or university in the state.
C. In addition to the tuition exemption as provided in this Section, each
participant in the program shall receive a stipend, at the beginning of the
semester or quarter in which such participant performs his student teaching as
required in R.S. 17:8.1 in an amount equal to the amount of the salary which
would otherwise have been paid by the employing school system to the
participant if such person was not participating in the program as provided in
this Section.
D. Funds for the purpose of reimbursing colleges and universities
under this program shall come from monies specifically appropriated or
otherwise made available for this purpose. The board shall promulgate rules
and regulations to award tuition exemptions on a priority basis in those
circumstances where the amount of funds available is not sufficient to provide
reimbursement for participation of all eligible applicants.
E. Each paraprofessional seeking to participate in the program shall
apply to the Department of Education. An "eligible paraprofessional" shall be
defined as a person who is not certified as a classroom teacher but who is
assigned to one or more specific teachers or schools on a full-time basis to
assist with classroom instruction and with other duties related to the instruction
of students. To be eligible to participate in the program, an applicant shall
meet all of the following eligibility criteria:
(1) Has been admitted to an approved college of education at a public
college or university in the state or at a nonpublic institution listed in R.S.
17:7.3(A)(1).
(2) Has taken the general knowledge and communication sections of
the appropriate teacher examination as provided in R.S. 17:8.2 and achieved
the score established as provided by R.S. 17:7.1(A)(7) for entry into a teacher
education program.
(3) Agrees to practice his profession in the public elementary or
secondary schools of the state for at least two consecutive years after
completion of all required courses for certification and upon becoming
certified as a teacher.
F. Any paraprofessional participating in the program as provided in this
Section who completes all required courses for certification but who fails to
become certified within one year after completing such course work, is found
to be ineligible, drops a course after the deadline for obtaining a full or partial
tuition refund from the college or university, fails to complete a course
successfully, or who does not practice his profession for at least two
consecutive years as required in Subsection E of this Section, except for
reasons of illness or death, shall be responsible for the repayment of any
monies allocated and paid in his behalf pursuant to the program as provided
in this Section.
G. The Department of Education shall annually submit a report to the
House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education
relative to any program established for paraprofessionals under this Section.
Such report shall include but not be limited to the following:
(1) The number of persons applying for such education.
(2) The number of persons accepted in the program.
(3) The educational background and the work experience of such
persons.
(4) The number of participants receiving a teaching certificate.
H. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adopt
rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Section in
accordance with R.S. 49:950 et seq.
I.(1) The total administrative costs of this program, including mileage
and other travel expenses, shall not exceed an annual cost of two thousand
dollars.
(2) The cost of the program as provided in this Section shall not exceed
one hundred thousand dollars for the first year of implementation of the
program.

Legislative History

Acts 1987, No. 361, §1; Acts 1989, No. 640, §1, eff. July 7, 1989; Acts 1999, No. 580, §1.