2006 Utah Code - 53A-6-112 — Grants for licensed teachers.

     53A-6-112.   Grants for licensed teachers.
     (1) As used in this section:
     (a) "Licensed teacher" means a teacher who holds:
     (i) a level 1, level 2, or level 3 license; and
     (ii) the endorsements required by board rule for the teacher's assignments.
     (b) "National Board certification" means a current certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
     (2) A grant program is created to minimize out-of-pocket expenses of licensed teachers to:
     (a) obtain National Board certification; or
     (b) take tests to meet federal highly qualified teacher standards as defined in 20 U.S.C. Sec. 7801.
     (3) The State Board of Education shall give grants to school districts and charter schools for the purpose stated in Subsection (2) from monies appropriated by the Legislature for that purpose.
     (4) To receive a grant, a school district or charter school shall provide matching funds to minimize out-of-pocket expenses of licensed teachers to obtain National Board certification or to take tests to meet federal highly qualified teacher standards in an amount equal to the grant.
     (5) Grant monies and matching funds shall be used to pay for costs of licensed teachers that are directly related to:
     (a) obtaining National Board certification; or
     (b) taking tests that, if the licensed teacher passes, the teacher meets federal highly qualified teacher standards.
     (6) The State Board of Education shall distribute money appropriated by the Legislature to school districts and charter schools to pay for costs of licensed teachers directly related to obtaining National Board certification or taking tests to meet federal highly qualified teacher standards in accordance with:
     (a) Subsection (4); and
     (b) a formula adopted by the board, after consultation with school districts and charter schools, that allocates the funding in a fair and equitable manner.
     (7) The State Board of Education shall make rules in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to administer this section.

Enacted by Chapter 149, 2006 General Session