2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 17:3042.11 — Teachers education trust fund incentive program; purposes; components; eligibility; administration; special treasury fund

CHAPTER 20-B-1.  TEACHERS EDUCATION TRUST FUND

INCENTIVE PROGRAM

§3042.11.  Teachers Education Trust Fund Incentive Program; purposes; components; eligibility; administration; special treasury fund

A.  The purpose of this Chapter is to provide additional incentives for qualified classroom teachers to locate and teach in disadvantaged and under-served geographical areas of the state by encouraging and increasing the availability of such teachers for the benefit of children in public elementary and secondary schools.

B.  There is hereby established a special fund in the state treasury to be known as the Teachers Education Incentive Program Trust Fund, hereinafter referred to as the "fund".  After compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana relative to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund, any grants, gifts, and donations received by the state for the purposes of this Chapter and any other revenues as may be provided by law shall be credited to the fund.  Additionally, monies may be appropriated to the fund by the legislature.  The monies in the fund shall be used solely as provided in Subsection D of this Section.  All unexpended and unencumbered monies remaining in the fund at the close of each fiscal year shall remain in the fund.  The monies in the fund shall be invested by the state treasurer in the same manner as monies in the state general fund.  All interest earned from the investment of the monies in the fund shall be deposited in and remain to the credit of the fund.

C.(1)  The Teachers Education Trust Fund Incentive Program is hereby established for any eligible classroom teacher who teaches in a low-performing public school located in a disadvantaged and underserved geographical area of the state, all as identified by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(2)  For the purpose of eligibility for the program established in this Section, "eligible classroom teacher" means an individual who meets all of the following conditions and complies with all other applicable provisions of this Section:

(a)  Holds a valid Louisiana teaching certificate issued by the state Department of Education and teaches in the field of certification.

(b)  Has not had a certification or licensure requirement waived by the state on an emergency, temporary, or provisional basis.

(c)  Has the equivalent of an academic major, or has passed the Louisiana licensing content-specific Praxis exam, or has earned a master's degree in the content area taught.

(d)  Meets the definition of a highly qualified teacher under the federal No Child Left Behind Act which calls for a highly qualified teacher who demonstrates subject knowledge and skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and other basic subject areas to be placed in every classroom by the end of the 2005-2006 school year.

D.  Subject to appropriation by the legislature, the monies in the fund shall be used exclusively for payments to eligible classroom teachers to locate and teach in disadvantaged and underserved geographical areas of the state.  Such payments shall be in an amount not to exceed three thousand dollars a year for three years and may be used, but shall not be required to be used, to offset the qualified student debt of an eligible classroom teacher as applicable.

E.(1)  The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, in cooperation with the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission, shall adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act providing for the formulation, development, and approval by the board of the components of the Teachers Education Trust Fund Incentive Program.

(2)  The Teachers Education Trust Fund Incentive Program shall be administered by the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission.  The commission, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, shall adopt rules and regulations necessary for program implementation and administration.

Acts 2006, No. 632, §1.