University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program

University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program. The goal of the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program, as mandated in House Bill 609 (1998 Legislative Session), shall be to attract qualified teachers to those geographical areas of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers by making available scholarships to persons working towards a Master of Education degree or an Educational Specialist degree at an institution of higher learning whose teacher education program is approved by the State Board of Education. The Mississippi Department of Education is authorized and directed to implement the requirements of House Bill 609, including, but not limited to, the promulgation of rules and regulations necessary for the proper administration of the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program. 1. Rules and Regulations for Administration of the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program A single university or college shall be selected by the RFP process and shall be responsible for the administration of the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program. That selected university or college shall be responsible for the implementation of program guidelines and the delivery of services under the grant. The selected university or college shall report directly to the Mississippi Teacher Center to ensure the program meets the overall goal of recruitment and retention of teachers for geographic areas of the state where teacher shortages exist as designated by the State Board of Education. The selected university or college shall comply with rules and regulations as stated below. 2. Institution Requirements for the Selected University or College Are As Follows: a. Offer a state approved Master of Education degree and/or Educational Specialist degree. b. Comply with HB 609, Section 13 and other appropriate subsections, for program operation. c. Have available resources to coordinate recruitment of teachers for critical needs areas as designated by the State Board of Education. d. Have available resources to provide professional development and support services necessary for the retention of teachers participating in the program. e. Have sufficient staff and a written plan of action for implementing the program. f. Develop a plan for ensuring the completion of all requirements for teacher participants to obtain a standard Mississippi teacher’s license. g. Develop a plan for collaboration with other institutions of higher learning within the state. h. Give priority to applicants for the program who are relocating from in- state or out-of-state to teach in a critical shortage area. i. Establish accountability or performance measures to measure both student and program success. j. Comply with appropriate state and federal laws relating to nondiscriminatory practices in the operation of the program. 3. Teacher Participant Requirements Are As Follows: a. Hold a Mississippi teacher’s license. b. Be employed by a school district located in an area of Mississippi where there exists a critical shortage of teachers as designated by the State Board of Education. c. Be enrolled in a state approved Master of Education or Educational Specialist program in the state of Mississippi d. Comply with all eligibility requirements as outlined in the Application for the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program.