53A-6-802 - Paraeducator to Teacher Scholarship Program.
53A-6-802. Paraeducator to Teacher Scholarship Program.
(1) The Paraeducator to Teacher Scholarship Program is created to award scholarships toparaeducators for education and training to become licensed teachers.
(2) The State Board of Education shall use money appropriated for the Paraeducator toTeacher Scholarship Program to award scholarships of up to $5,000 to paraeducators employedby school districts and charter schools who are pursuing an associate's degree or bachelor'sdegree program to become a licensed teacher.
(3) A paraeducator is eligible to receive a scholarship if:
(a) the paraeducator is employed by a school district or charter school;
(b) is admitted to, or has made an application to, an associate's degree program orbachelor's degree program that will prepare the paraeducator for teacher licensure; and
(c) the principal at the school where the paraeducator is employed has nominated theparaeducator for a scholarship.
(4) (a) The State Board of Education shall establish a committee to select scholarshiprecipients from nominations submitted by school principals.
(b) The committee shall include representatives of the State Board of Education, StateBoard of Regents, and the general public, excluding school district and charter school employees.
(c) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, butmay receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
(i) Section 63A-3-106;
(ii) Section 63A-3-107; and
(iii) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and63A-3-107.
(d) The committee shall select scholarship recipients based on the following criteria:
(i) test scores, grades, or other evidence demonstrating the applicant's ability tosuccessfully complete a teacher education program; and
(ii) the applicant's record of success as a paraeducator.
(5) The maximum scholarship amount is $5,000.
(6) Scholarship money may only be used to pay for tuition costs:
(a) of:
(i) an associate's degree program that fulfills credit requirements for the first two years ofa bachelor's degree program leading to teacher licensure; or
(ii) the first two years of a bachelor's degree program leading to teacher licensure; and
(b) at a higher education institution:
(i) located in Utah; and
(ii) accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
(7) A scholarship recipient must be continuously employed as a paraeducator by a schooldistrict or charter school while pursuing a degree using scholarship money.
(8) The State Board of Education shall make rules in accordance with this section andTitle 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to administer the Paraeducator toTeacher Scholarship Program, including rules establishing:
(a) scholarship application procedures;
(b) the number of, and qualifications for, committee members who select scholarshiprecipients; and
(c) procedures for distributing scholarship money.
Amended by Chapter 286, 2010 General Session