Agenda - 09-28-2017 - 7. Information Item - NCSBA 2017 Legislative Summary

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Section 10.26 One-Year College Tuition Grants for Certain Graduates of the NC School of Science and Math who Attend a State University Appropriates $1,500,000 for the State Educational Assistance Authority (SEAA) to hold in reserve to provide tuition grants to NC resident graduates of the NC School of Science and Math in 2018 and enrolls in a UNC constituent school in the Fall of 2018. Provides that the amount of each grant is to be sufficient to cover tuition costs. Provides that if the student receives scholarships from other sources, the amount of this grant is to be enough to cover whatever costs may remain. Lays out accountability guidelines. Section 10A.1 Software for Administration of the Opportunity Scholarship and Special Education Scholarship Programs Directs that up to $1,800,000 of the Opportunity Scholarship school voucher funds are to be used in 2017-18 to purchase administrative software for both the Opportunity Scholarship and children with disabilities voucher programs and integrate the software into the SEAA's data systems. Provides for a data-sharing initiative. Section 10A.2 Eliminate School Site Scholarship Endorsement Requirement Provides that if a parent is awarded school voucher monies (Opportunity Scholarship or special ed) and is going to endorse the use of the funds at a nonpublic school, the parent does not have to make the endorsement in person at the site of the school (previously the parent had to be physically present to make the endorsement). Effective with the 2017-18 school year. G.S. 115C-112.6(b1)(1)a., -562.6. Section 10A.3 North Carolina Teaching Fellows Re-establishes the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program and the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Commission that were repealed by the General Assembly in 2011. Authorizes the Commission to select five postsecondary institutions in the state that offer educator preparation programs, either UNC or private, to host the Teaching Fellows. Limits the Fellows program to students interested in teaching in North Carolina public schools in STEM or special education licensure areas. Provides forgivable loans of up to $8,250 per year, beginning in the 2018-19 academic year, for a set period as follows: • North Carolina high school seniors —up to 4 years. • Students applying for transfer to an educator preparation program at a selected institution of higher education—up to 3 years. • Individuals currently holding a bachelor's degree seeking preparation for teacher licensure—up to 2 years. • Students matriculating at institutions of higher education who are changing to enrollment in a selected educator preparation program —up to 2 years. Forgives loans of teachers, within ten years of graduation, working in STEM or special education licensure areas as follows: • 1 year of credit for 1 year of teaching in a North Carolina public school identified as low- performing. • 1 year of credit for 2 years of teaching in a North Carolina public school that is not identified as low-performing. 30