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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.


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