(a) Purpose. — It is the purpose of this program to increase the number of public teachers with a standard certificate in their area of instruction. This will improve student achievement by enabling and encouraging those teachers to pursue education that will enable them to become fully certified and prepared to deliver high-quality instruction in state-approved critical needs areas. This program will provide direct reimbursement to an institute of higher education or Secretary of Education-approved Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification Program for coursework taken during the academic year, which includes fall, winter, spring and summer sessions.
(b) Eligibility. — (1) [Repealed.]
(2) Eligible teachers must meet all of the following criteria:
a. Are full-time employees of a Delaware public school district or a charter school.
b. Teach on an emergency certification or a certificate of eligibility.
c. Teach in critical need areas as defined by the Department of Education.
1. The Department shall identify a list of critical needs areas and publish the list on the Department's website annually.
2. Eligible institutions of higher education include any out-of-state regionally-accredited college or university, or Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification Programs approved by the Delaware Secretary of Education and authorized to operate in Delaware.
(3), (4) [Repealed.]
(c), (d) [Repealed.]
(e) Reimbursements. — (1) Reimbursement shall be provided to eligible institutions and for programs identified in subsection (b) of this section for approved coursework that meets Department of Education requirements.
a. For a full-time employee of a public school district or charter school teaching on an emergency certification or certificate of eligibility, up to 1 of the following per academic year:
1. Two noncredit-bearing seminars or workshops required for certification.
2. Up to 6 credits.
3. One noncredit-bearing seminar or workshop required for certification up to 1 3-credit course.
(2) Reimbursement funds shall be distributed to the institution of higher education upon course completion with a 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for credit bearing courses or an equivalent passing grade in a noncredit-bearing course. Eligible institutions must verify enrollment and course grades prior to disbursement of funds.
(3) Funding may not exceed the cost of tuition and fees or the equivalent at the highest cost public institution in Delaware. If funding exceeds the appropriation, eligible institutions of higher education will be awarded funds in a prorated share of the applicant pool.
(4) The Department may set aside funds as available for teachers meeting these criteria as demand requires.