(A)As used in this section and in section3333.394of the Revised Code:
(1)"Academic year" shall be as defined by the chancellor of higher education.
(2)"Parent" means the parent, guardian, or custodian of a qualified student as described by this section.
(3)"Qualified service" means teaching at a qualifying school district or another school district, school, or educational service center as prescribed in division (G) of this section.
(4)"Qualifying school district" means any of the following that has been identified as "high need" by the chancellor, that has difficulty attracting and retaining classroom teachers who hold a valid educator license issued under section3319.22of the Revised Code, and that either employs the scholarship recipient or is the district or school from which
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(A) As used in this section and in section3333.394of the Revised Code:
(1) "Academic year" shall be as defined by the chancellor of higher education.
(2) "Parent" means the parent, guardian, or custodian of a qualified student as described by this section.
(3) "Qualified service" means teaching at a qualifying school district or another school district, school, or educational service center as prescribed in division (G) of this section.
(4) "Qualifying school district" means any of the following that has been identified as "high need" by the chancellor, that has difficulty attracting and retaining classroom teachers who hold a valid educator license issued under section3319.22of the Revised Code, and that either employs the scholarship recipient or is the district or school from which the recipient graduated from high school:
(a) A school district;
(b) An educational service center;
(c) A community school established under Chapter 3314. of the Revised Code;
(d) A STEM school established under Chapter 3326. of the Revised Code;
(e) A chartered nonpublic school;
(f) A nonchartered nonpublic school.
(5) "Qualifying employee" means an individual employed at a qualifying school district.
(6) "Qualifying high school senior" means a student who is currently enrolled in the twelfth grade, and for whom either of the following is true:
(a) The student will graduate from a secondary school in a qualifying school district where at least twenty-five percent of the students are eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch.
(b) The student completes the free application for federal student aid for the academic year for which the scholarship begins and receives a student aid index of 25,000 or less.
(B) The grow your own teacher college scholarship program is hereby established. Each scholarship shall be awarded for up to four academic years and shall not exceed $7,500 for each academic year. Under the program, the chancellor of higher education, in conjunction with the department of education and workforce, shall award scholarships to the following:
(1) Qualifying high school seniors who commit to teaching in a qualifying school district for a minimum of four years upon graduation from a teacher training program at a state institution of higher education or an Ohio nonprofit institution of higher education that has a certificate of authorization under Chapter 1713. of the Revised Code.
(2) Qualifying employees who commit to teaching in a qualifying school district for a minimum of four years upon graduation from a teacher training program at a state institution of higher education or an Ohio nonprofit institution of higher education that has a certificate of authorization under Chapter 1713. of the Revised Code.
(C) The department and the chancellor shall develop an application process for awarding scholarships under the program. The department and the chancellor also shall appoint a highly qualified and diverse application committee to assist in the selection of scholarship recipients. If insufficient funds are available to fund all qualifying applicants, the chancellor may prioritize those students with the most financial need.
(D)(1) Scholarships shall be awarded to students under division (B)(1) of this section who meet both of the following conditions:
(a) Received a high school diploma or honors diploma under section3313.61of the Revised Code;
(b) Commit to completing the four-year teaching obligation within not more than six years after graduating from the teacher training program.
(2) Scholarships shall be awarded to qualifying employees under division (B)(2) of this section who commit to completing the four-year teaching obligation within not more than six years after graduating from the teacher training program. Qualifying employees shall maintain employment at the qualifying school district during their teacher training program unless they must terminate or suspend their employment to complete the student teaching requirements of the teacher training program.
(E) The chancellor shall require that all applicants to the grow your own teacher program file a statement of service status in compliance with section3345.32of the Revised Code, if applicable, and that all applicants have not been convicted of, plead guilty to, or adjudicated a delinquent child for any violation listed in section3333.38of the Revised Code.
(F) Recipients shall complete the four-year teaching commitment within not more than six years after graduating from the teacher training program. Failure to fulfill the commitment shall convert the scholarship into a loan to be repaid under section3333.394of the Revised Code.
(G) Upon completion of a teacher training program, if the qualifying school district is unable to hire the graduate, the recipient may be permitted by the chancellor to complete the required teaching commitment at another high need school district, school, or educational service center that has difficulty attracting and retaining classroom teachers who hold a valid educator license as described in division (A)(4) of this section.
Last updated August 15, 2024 at 5:00 PM