53F-5-205. Paraeducator to Teacher Scholarship Program -- Grants for math teacher training programs.
(1) The terms defined in Sectionapply to this section. 53E-6-102 As used in this section, "paraeducator" means a school employee who: delivers instruction under the direct supervision of a teacher; and works in an area where there is a shortage of qualified teachers, such as special education, Title I, ESL, reading remediation, math, or science.
(2) The Paraeducator to Teacher Scholarship Program is created to award scholarships to paraeducators for education and training to become licensed teachers.
(3) The state board shall use money appropriated for the Paraeducator to Teacher Scholarship Program to award scholarships of up to $5,000 to paraeducators employed by school districts and charter schools who are pursuing an associate's degree or bachelor's degree program to become a licensed teacher.
(4) A paraeducator is eligible to receive a scholarship if: the paraeducator is employed by a school district or charter school; is admitted to, or has made an application to, an associate's degree program or bachelor's degree program that will prepare the paraeducator for teacher licensure; and the principal at the school where the paraeducator is employed has nominated the paraeducator for a scholarship.
(5) The state board shall establish a committee to select scholarship recipients from nominations submitted by school principals. The committee shall include representatives of the state board, the Utah Board of Higher Education, and the general public, excluding school district and charter school employees. A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with: Section; 63A-3-106 Section; and 63A-3-107 rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sectionsand. 63A-3-106 63A-3-107 The committee shall select scholarship recipients based on the following criteria: test scores, grades, or other evidence demonstrating the applicant's ability to successfully complete a teacher education program; and the applicant's record of success as a paraeducator.
(6) The maximum scholarship amount is $5,000.
(7) Scholarship money may only be used to pay for tuition costs: of: an associate's degree program that fulfills credit requirements for the first two years of a bachelor's degree program leading to teacher licensure; or the first two years of a bachelor's degree program leading to teacher licensure; and at a higher education institution: located in Utah; and accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
(8) A scholarship recipient must be continuously employed as a paraeducator by a school district or charter school while pursuing a degree using scholarship money.
(9) The state board shall make rules in accordance with this section and, to administer the Paraeducator to Teacher Scholarship Program, including rules establishing: Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act scholarship application procedures; the number of, and qualifications for, committee members who select scholarship recipients; and procedures for distributing scholarship money.
(10) If the state obtains matching funds of equal sums from private contributors, the state board may award grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit educational organizations for programs that provide: mentoring and training leading to a secondary education license with a certificate in mathematics for an individual who: is not a teacher in a public or private school; does not have a teaching license; has a bachelor's degree or higher; and demonstrates a high level of mathematics competency by: successfully completing substantial course work in mathematics; and passing a mathematics content exam; or a stipend, professional development, and leadership opportunities to an experienced mathematics teacher who demonstrates high content knowledge and exemplary teaching and leadership skills to assist the teacher in becoming a teacher leader.
(11) The state board shall make rules in accordance with, that establish criteria for awarding grants under this section. Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act In awarding grants, the state board shall consider the amount or percent of matching funds provided by the grant recipient.