H.B. 240 Enrolled

1

PUBLIC EDUCATION JOB ENHANCEMENT
2 PROGRAM AMENDMENTS
3 2007 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Ronda Rudd Menlove
6 Senate Sponsor: Howard A. Stephenson
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill modifies the Public Education Job Enhancement Program.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . expands the positions that may qualify for cash awards and scholarships under the
14 Public Education Job Enhancement Program.
15 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
16 None
17 Other Special Clauses:
18 This bill takes effect on July 1, 2007.
19 Utah Code Sections Affected:
20 AMENDS:
21 53A-1a-601, as last amended by Chapter 174, Laws of Utah 2005
22 53A-1a-602, as last amended by Chapter 174, Laws of Utah 2005
23
24 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 Section 1. Section 53A-1a-601 is amended to read:
26 53A-1a-601. Job enhancements for mathematics, science, technology, and special
27 education training.
28 (1) As used in this part, "special education teacher" includes occupational therapist.
29 [(1)] (2) The Public Education Job Enhancement Program is established to attract,

30 train, and retain highly qualified:
31 (a) secondary teachers with expertise in mathematics, physics, chemistry, physical
32 science, learning technology, or information technology; [and]
33 (b) special education teachers[.]; and
34 (c) teachers in grades four through six with mathematics endorsements.
35 [(2)] (3) The program shall provide for the following:
36 (a) application by a school district superintendent or the principal of a school on behalf
37 of a qualified teacher;
38 (b) an award of up to $20,000 or a scholarship to cover the tuition costs for a master's
39 degree, an endorsement, or graduate education in the areas identified in Subsection [(1)] (2) to
40 be given to selected public school teachers on a competitive basis:
41 (i) whose applications are approved under Subsection 53A-1a-602 (4); and
42 (ii) who teach in the state's public education system for four years in the areas
43 identified in Subsection [(1)] (2);
44 (c) (i) as to the cash awards under Subsection [(2)] (3)(b), payment of the award in two
45 installments, with an initial payment of up to $10,000 at the beginning of the term and up to
46 $10,000 at the conclusion of the term;
47 (ii) repayment of a portion of the initial payment by the teacher if the teacher fails to
48 complete two years of the four-year teaching term in the areas identified in Subsection [(1)] (2)
49 as provided by rule of the State Board of Education in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a,
50 Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, unless waived for good cause by the Job Enhancement
51 Committee created in Section 53A-1a-602 ; and
52 (iii) nonpayment of the second installment if the teacher fails to complete the four-year
53 teaching term; and
54 (d) (i) as to the scholarships awarded under Subsection [(2)] (3)(b), provision for the
55 providing institution to certify adequate performance in obtaining the master's degree,
56 endorsement, or graduate education in order for the teacher to maintain the scholarship; and
57 (ii) repayment by the teacher of a prorated portion of the scholarship, if the teacher fails

58 to complete the authorized classes or program or to teach in the state system of public
59 education in the areas identified in Subsection [(1)] (2) for four years after obtaining the
60 master's degree, the endorsement, or graduate education.
61 [(3)] (4) An individual teaching in the public schools under a letter of authorization
62 may participate in the cash award program if:
63 (a) the individual has taught under the letter of authorization for at least one year in the
64 areas referred to in Subsection [(1)] (2); and
65 (b) the application made under Subsection [(2)] (3)(a) is based in large part upon the
66 individual receiving a superior evaluation as a classroom teacher.
67 [(4)] (5) (a) The program may provide for the expenditure of up to $1,000,000 of
68 available monies, if at least an equal amount of matching monies become available, to provide
69 professional development training to superintendents, administrators, and principals in the
70 effective use of technology in public schools.
71 (b) An award granted under this Subsection [(4)] (5) shall be made in accordance with
72 criteria developed and adopted by the Job Enhancement Committee created in Section
73 53A-1a-602 .
74 (c) An amount up to $120,000 of the $1,000,000 authorized in Subsection [(4)] (5)(a)
75 may be expended, regardless of the matching monies being available.
76 Section 2. Section 53A-1a-602 is amended to read:
77 53A-1a-602. Job Enhancement Committee -- Composition -- Duties --
78 Appropriation.
79 (1) There is created a Job Enhancement Committee to implement and administer the
80 Public Education Job Enhancement Program established in Section 53A-1a-601 .
81 (2) (a) The committee shall consist of:
82 (i) two members of the State Board of Education selected by the board;
83 (ii) two members of the State Board of Regents selected by the board;
84 (iii) six members of the general public who have business experience in mathematics,
85 physics, chemistry, physical science, learning technology, or information technology selected

86 by the governor;
87 (iv) a master high school teacher, who has teaching experience in mathematics,
88 physics, chemistry, physical science, learning technology, or information technology, selected
89 by the superintendent of public instruction; [and]
90 (v) a master special education teacher, selected by the superintendent of public
91 instruction[.]; and
92 (vi) a master teacher in grades four through six with a mathematics endorsement,
93 selected by the superintendent of public instruction.
94 (b) Committee members shall receive no compensation or benefits for their service on
95 the committee, but may receive per diem and expenses incurred in the performance of their
96 duties at rates established by the Division of Finance under Sections 63A-3-106 and
97 63A-3-107 .
98 (3) (a) The committee shall receive and review applications submitted for participation
99 in the Public Education Job Enhancement Program established under Section 53A-1a-601 .
100 (b) In reviewing applications, the committee shall focus on:
101 (i) the prioritized critical areas of need identified under Subsection (5)(a); and
102 (ii) the awards being made on a competitive basis.
103 (c) If the committee approves an application received under Subsection (3)(a), it shall
104 contract directly with the teacher applicant to receive the award or the scholarship for a
105 master's degree, an endorsement, or graduate education, subject to Section 53A-1a-601 .
106 (d) The State Board of Education, through the superintendent of public instruction,
107 shall provide staff support for the committee and adequate and reliable data on the state's
108 supply of and demand for qualified:
109 (i) secondary teachers with expertise in mathematics, physics, chemistry, physical
110 science, learning technologies, or information technology; [and]
111 (ii) special education teachers[.]; and
112 (iii) teachers in grades four through six with mathematics endorsements.
113 (4) The committee may apply for grants and matching monies to enhance funding

114 available for the program established in Section 53A-1a-601 .
115 (5) The committee shall make a rule in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah
116 Administrative Rulemaking Act, establishing policies and procedures for:
117 (a) making the awards and offering the scholarships in accordance with prioritized
118 critical areas of need as determined by the committee;
119 (b) timelines for the submission and approval of applications under Subsection (3); and
120 (c) the distribution of the awards and scholarships to successful applicants based on
121 available monies provided by legislative appropriation.
122 (6) Subject to future budget constraints, the Legislature shall make an annual
123 appropriation to the State Board of Education to fund the Public Education Job Enhancement
124 Program established under Section 53A-1a-601 .
125 Section 3. Effective date.
126 This bill takes effect on July 1, 2007.