"Teachers of Tomorrow:" $25 Million in New State Funds to Recruit and Retain Teachers

posted: June 2, 2000

See also: Guidelines for application submissions. Memorandum on submission guideliness.

Included in the 2000-01 State Budget is a new $25 million appropriation for "Teachers of Tomorrow," which is comprised of six different programs to help school districts address teacher shortages.

Those six programs are:

1. Teachers of Tomorrow Teacher Recruitment Incentive Program
   
2. Teachers of Tomorrow Certification Stipends
   
3. Teachers of Tomorrow Summer in the City Internship Program
   
4. New York State Master Teacher Program
   
5. Teacher Recruitment Tuition Reimbursement Program
   
6. Summer Teacher Training Program
   

An individual that is awarded a grant under any of the six programs is not eligible for a grant award under any of the other programs in one year.

In allocating grants, a school district must give priority in the following order:

• First, to a SURR school that is designated as a teacher shortage area.*

• Second, to any school performing significantly below state standards as defined by the Commissioner.

• Third, to any school that is designated as a teacher shortage area.

The law provides that applications by a school district for funding must be filed with the State Education Department (SED) by June 1st, and districts must be notified of their grant award by June 13th. However, applications are not yet available (as of May 23rd) and these timelines may need to be adjusted. Local leaders should encourage their districts to start the planning process.

The Commissioner must issue a report on the program by November 1st following the completion of each school year.

SIX PROGRAMS

1. Teachers of Tomorrow Teacher Recruitment Incentive Program - provides incentive awards to attract teachers to employment in teacher shortage areas.

Eligibility:

• Teachers with an initial, provisional, permanent or professional certification.

• Agree to a service obligation of one year in a teacher shortage area.

• Be employed for the first time as a teacher in the school district.

• Board of Education shall determine the form of the application and the application process for teachers deemed eligible for the award, and shall, in its discretion, select the number of eligible applicants who will receive an award.

• If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of awards then the Board of Education must use an objective competitive process based on educational qualifications to determine which eligible applicants shall receive awards.

• The award is $3,400.

• The award may be renewable each year, for up to three additional years, provided that the recipient agrees to one year of service as a full-time teacher in a teacher shortage area for each year of a renewed award.

• The sum of any initial and renewed awards shall not exceed $13,600.

• The Board of Education must develop and secure from the award recipient a written agreement outlining the service obligation. This agreement shall include provisions for the recipient to repay the amount of the award to the school district if the recipient fails to complete their service obligation.

• Upon a written appeal by an award recipient, the Board of Education may, in its discretion, provide a waiver of repayment for an award recipient who fails to complete the service obligation for documented reasons of health or other severe hardships, as determined by the Commissioner.

• The Board of Education must notify both successful and unsuccessful applicants by September 1st for which an initial or renewed award is provided.

2. Teachers of Tomorrow Certification Stipends - provides stipends to eligible teachers for the purpose of providing additional training and education required to obtain initial or provisional certification.

Eligibility:

• Must have a temporary license to teach, and not hold any initial, provisional, permanent or professional certification.

• Agree to a service obligation of one year in a teacher shortage area.

• Board of Education shall determine the form of the application and the application process for teachers deemed eligible for the award, and shall, in its discretion, select the number of eligible applicants who will receive an award.

• If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of awards then the Board of Education must use an objective competitive process based on educational qualifications to determine which eligible applicants shall receive awards.

• The award is $2,000 or the actual expenses incurred by the recipient, whichever is less. Fifty percent of the award is payable by the state and fifty percent is payable by the local school district.

• The award may be used for the payment of expenses incurred by the recipient for the following purposes:

  Tuition charged for test preparation workshops intended to prepare recipients to pass teacher certification exams required for initial or provisional teacher certification, which shall be provided by the Board of Education either through a contract for such services or by providing such services through employees of the Board of Education.

  Tuition charged for any additional coursework at an accredited institution of higher education required of the recipient to receive initial or provisional teacher certification.

• The award is not renewable.

• The Board of Education must develop and secure from the award recipient a written agreement outlining the service obligation. This agreement shall include provisions for the recipient to repay the amount of the award to the school district if the recipient fails to complete their service obligation.

• Upon a written appeal by an award recipient, the Board of Education may, in its discretion, provide a waiver of repayment for an award recipient who fails to complete the service obligation for documented reasons of health or other severe hardships, as determined by the Commissioner.

• The Board of Education must notify both successful and unsuccessful applicants by September 1st for which an award is provided.

3. Teachers of Tomorrow Summer in the City Internship Program - Big 5 City School Districts may apply for funding for Summer in the City student internships for the purpose of attracting prospective teachers to opportunities in urban education.

Eligibility:

Students must:
• have completed 60 or more hours of credit bearing college courses,

• be in good academic standing,

• have attended an accredited New York State college or university full-time in the previous year,

• be enrolled in a registered program for the preparation of teachers,

• be recommended by their college or university, and

• agree to a service obligation of the full duration of the internship program, as determined by the Board of Education.

• Board of Education shall develop and distribute the application to the accredited colleges and universities of the state which have an approved teacher education program. Eligible students must submit their application to the Board of Education by a date determined by the Board.

• a description of the program,

• the duration of the program, which must be at least five or more weeks during the months of June through August,

• the amount of any stipend,

• the available housing for the program,

• the training and professional development opportunities, and

• the amount of time in direct contact with children participating in educational activities.

• Board of Education shall, in its discretion, select the number of eligible applicants who will participate.

• If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of awards then the Board of Education must use an objective competitive process based on educational qualifications to determine which eligible applicants shall receive awards.

• An eligible applicant may participate in the program more than once.

• Districts may expend funds for: stipends of up to $2,000 per student, housing costs, orientation, training and professional development, and other expenses to operate the program.

• The Board of Education must develop and secure from the award recipient a written agreement outlining the service obligation. This agreement shall include provisions for the recipient to repay the amount of any stipend to the school district if the recipient fails to complete their service obligation.

• Upon a written appeal by an award recipient, the Board of Education may, in its discretion, provide a waiver of repayment for an award recipient who fails to complete the service obligation for documented reasons of health or other severe hardships, as determined by the Commissioner.

• Colleges and universities may provide credit for the Summer in the City program and may charge a fee for such credit or provide the credit free of charge. Participation in the Summer in the City program shall qualify as a field experience for purposes of any graduation or certification requirement.

• The Board of Education shall inform eligible applicants of their selection for the program by a date determined by the Board of Education.

4. New York State Master Teacher Program - provides incentive awards to attract highly qualified, experienced, expert teachers to low-performing schools.

The Commissioner shall establish and maintain a list of persons eligible to serve as Master Teachers.

School districts eligible to participate in this program are those districts which contain a school building that has been designated as a low-performing school.

Eligibility for Master Teacher:

• received National Board Certification,

• be employed full-time for the school year by a public school designated as a low-performing school, and

• agree to a service obligation of three years of service in a low-performing school.

• Board of Education shall determine the application and the application process for teachers deemed eligible for the award.

• Board of Education shall in its discretion select the number of eligible applicants who will participate.

• If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of awards then the Board of Education must use an objective competitive process based on educational qualifications to determine which eligible applicants shall receive awards.

• The award is $10,000.

• The $10,000 award can be renewed twice for a maximum of $30,000.

• The Board of Education must develop and secure from the award recipient a written agreement outlining the service obligation. This agreement shall include provisions for the recipient to repay the amount of the award to the school district if the recipient fails to complete their service obligation.

• Upon a written appeal by an award recipient, the Board of Education may, in its discretion, provide a waiver of repayment for an award recipient who fails to complete the service obligation for documented reasons of health or other severe hardships, as determined by the Commissioner.

• Each Board of Education and Master Teacher shall agree to a three-year term. Each Master Teacher shall be assigned partner classroom teachers and, in addition to assigned teaching duties, each Master Teacher must engage in daily and long-term planning and assessment with partner teachers, model teaching techniques and strategies, and serve as a classroom expert to provide ongoing support to teachers.

• Upon completion of the term, each Master Teacher shall have the right to return to the position that they held immediately prior to the appointment without loss of tenure, seniority, or other employment rights.

• The Board of Education must inform eligible applicants of their selection for the program by a date determined by the Board of Education.

5. Teacher Recruitment Tuition Reimbursement Program - provides an incentive to attract qualified teachers to teacher shortage areas by providing tuition reimbursement.

Eligibility for a tuition reimbursement award:

• must have received initial or provisional certification and not hold any permanent or professional certification,

• must be employed full-time for the school year by a public school designated as a teacher shortage area, and

• must agree to a service obligation of one year of service in a teacher shortage area.

• Board of Education shall determine the application and the application process for teachers deemed eligible for the award.

• Board of Education shall in its discretion select the number of eligible applicants who will participate.

• If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of awards then the Board of Education must use an objective competitive process based on educational qualifications to determine which eligible applicants shall receive awards.

• The award is $700 or the actual cost of one approved course, whichever is less.

• Definition of "approved course" is a course in a registered program for the preparation of teachers at an accredited New York State institution of higher education which is taken towards meeting requirements for permanent certification.

• A recipient shall be eligible to receive three initial reimbursement awards in the school year.

• Award is renewable for one additional year. Maximum sum of initial and renewable awards is $4,200.

• The Board of Education must develop and secure from the award recipient a written agreement outlining the service obligation. This agreement shall include provisions for the recipient to repay the amount of the award to the school district if the recipient fails to complete their service obligation.

• Upon a written appeal by an award recipient, the Board of Education may, in its discretion, provide a waiver of repayment for an award recipient who fails to complete the service obligation for documented reasons of health or other severe hardships, as determined by the Commissioner.

• The Board of Education must inform eligible applicants of their selection for the program by a date determined by the Board of Education.

6. Summer Teacher Training Program - provides intensive summer teacher training to certified teachers teaching in a teacher shortage area that will be employed for the first time in the New York City school district.

Eligibility for such training:

• must have initial, provisional, permanent or professional certification, and

• must be employed for the first time in the New York City school district.

• The Board of Education shall establish a selection process by which new teachers are chosen to participate

• Funds may be used for the payment of expenses incurred by the district for training and orientation including team teaching, observing summer school classes, and training on new standards.

• State funding shall not exceed $1,000 per eligible participant.

NYSUT's Division of Research and Educational Services serves as the research arm of NYSUT, providing information and assistance to Field Services, to other NYSUT divisions, and to local leaders. In addition, the Division provides a variety of information and workshops to local leaders and to local member organizations.

Copyright 1998 New York State United Teachers. 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, New York, 12110-2455. 518.213.6000. http://www.nysut.org.