MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Education; Appropriations

By: Representatives Manning, Morris, Livingston, Bailey

AN ACT ENTITLED THE "MISSISSIPPI CRITICAL TEACHER SHORTAGE ACT OF 1998"; TO ESTABLISH THE CRITICAL NEEDS TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF AWARDING FULL SCHOLARSHIPS TO FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME COLLEGE STUDENTS AGREEING TO TEACH IN A GEOGRAPHICAL CRITICAL TEACHER SHORTAGE AREA OF THE STATE; TO AMEND SECTION 37-143-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT THE CONVERSION OF LOANS INTO SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER THE WILLIAM F. WINTER TEACHER SCHOLAR LOAN PROGRAM SHALL BE AT A RATE OF TWO SEMESTERS SERVICE FOR EACH YEAR A LOAN WAS RECEIVED; TO AMEND SECTION 37-149-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH THE POSITION OF PROFESSIONAL TEACHER RECRUITER WITHIN THE MISSISSIPPI TEACHER CENTER; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 37-149-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PRESCRIBE THE DUTIES OF PROFESSIONAL TEACHER RECRUITERS; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO REIMBURSE LICENSED TEACHERS FOR MOVING EXPENSES WHEN SUCH TEACHERS RELOCATE IN ORDER TO TEACH IN A GEOGRAPHICAL CRITICAL TEACHER SHORTAGE AREA OF THE STATE; TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS IN GEOGRAPHICAL CRITICAL TEACHER SHORTAGE AREAS TO REIMBURSE TEACHER APPLICANTS FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES TO AND FROM THEIR INTERVIEW; TO AMEND SECTION 37-9-77, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO REIMBURSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR THE SALARIES PAID BY THE DISTRICTS TO TEACHERS PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR SABBATICAL PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 37-17-8, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE A PORTION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS' IN-SERVICE TRAINING FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS TO BE DEDICATED TO SCHOOL DISCIPLINE TECHNIQUES AND TO PROVIDE THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT STAFF DEVELOPMENT PLANS TO THE COMMISSION ON SCHOOL ACCREDITATION; TO REQUIRE ALL TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO INCLUDE MANDATORY COURSES ON SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT; TO REQUIRE EACH STATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT ON THE INSTITUTION'S TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM AND TO SPECIFY THE COMPONENTS OF THE REPORT; TO ESTABLISH A SCHOOL DISCIPLINE GRANT PROGRAM WITHIN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO CERTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ADDRESS SCHOOL DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS; TO ESTABLISH THE UNIVERSITY ASSISTED TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO PERSONS PURSUING A MASTER OF EDUCATION DEGREE WHILE SUCH PERSONS RENDER SERVICE TO THE STATE AS A LICENSED TEACHER IN A GEOGRAPHICAL CRITICAL TEACHER SHORTAGE AREA; TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYER-ASSISTED HOUSING TEACHER PROGRAM FUND TO PROVIDE SPECIAL HOME LOANS TO TEACHERS RENDERING SERVICE IN A GEOGRAPHICAL CRITICAL TEACHER SHORTAGE AREA; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

WHEREAS, in many rural areas and communities in the State of Mississippi, particularly in the Mississippi Delta, there exists a critical shortage of qualified teachers which continues to grow at an increasing rate as the number of teachers in those areas who are eligible for retirement escalates while fewer college students aspire to a career in teaching; and

WHEREAS, the absence of a qualified teacher in every classroom in the state contributes to overall lower test scores for the State of Mississippi and will negatively impact the state's work force of tomorrow, made of our children of today; and WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Legislature, in passing this act, to immediately reverse this teacher shortage trend by offering attractive incentives to qualified persons who pursue a profession in teaching and agree to serve in those communities wherein the greatest need for teachers exists, thereby enabling every child in the State of Mississippi to receive a quality education: NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage Act of 1998."

SECTION 2. (1) There is established the "Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship Program," the purpose of which is to attract qualified teachers to those geographical areas of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers by awarding full scholarships to persons declaring an intention to serve in the teaching field who actually render service to the state while possessing a standard teaching license with an appropriate major or subject area of concentration.

(2) Any individual who is enrolled in or accepted for enrollment at a baccalaureate degree-granting institution of higher learning whose teacher education program is approved by the State Board of Education or at an accredited, nonprofit community or junior college in the State of Mississippi who expresses in writing an intention to teach in a geographical area of the state in which there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education, shall be eligible for a financial scholarship to be applied toward the costs of the individual's college education. The annual amount of the award shall be equal to the total cost for tuition, room and meals, books, materials and fees at the college or university in which the student is enrolled, not to exceed an amount equal to the highest total cost of tuition, room and meals, books, materials and fees assessed by a state institution of higher learning during that school year. Awards made to nonresidents of the state shall not include any amount assessed by the college or university for out-of-state tuition.

(3) Awards granted under the Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship Program shall be available to both full-time and part-time students. Students enrolling on a full-time basis may receive a maximum of four (4) annual awards. The maximum number of awards which may be made to students attending school on a part-time basis shall not exceed the length of time required to complete the number of academic hours necessary to obtain a baccalaureate degree in education. Critical Needs Teacher Scholarships shall not be based upon an applicant's eligibility for financial aid.

(4) Except in those cases where employment positions may not be available upon completion of licensure requirements, at the beginning of the first school year in which a recipient of a Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship is eligible for employment as a licensed teacher, that person shall begin to render service as a licensed teacher in a public school district in a geographical area of the state where there is a critical shortage of teachers, as approved by the State Board of Education. For each year that a person received a full-time student scholarship, or for the number of academic hours equivalent to one (1) school year, as determined by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, which a part-time student received a scholarship, the individual shall render one (1) year's service as a licensed teacher.

(5) Any person failing to complete a program of study which will enable that person to become a licensed teacher shall become liable immediately to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for the sum of all Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship awards made to that person, plus interest accruing at the current Stafford Loan rate at the time the person abrogates his participation in the program. Any person failing to complete his teaching obligation, as required under subsection (4) of this section, shall become liable immediately to the board for the sum of all scholarship awards made to that person less the corresponding amount of any awards for which service has been rendered, plus interest accruing at the current Stafford Loan rate at the time the person discontinues his service, except in the case of a deferral of debt for cause by the State Board of Education when there is no employment position immediately available upon a teacher's completion of licensure requirements. After the period of such deferral, such person shall begin or resume teaching duties as required under subsection (4) or shall become liable to the board under this subsection. If a claim for payment under this subsection is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection, the obligor shall be liable for an additional amount equal to a reasonable attorney's fee.

(6) The obligations made by the recipient of a Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship award shall not be voidable by reason of the age of the student at the time of receiving the scholarship.

(7) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the State Board of Education shall jointly promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the proper administration of the Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship Program. The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall be the administering agency of the program.

(8) If insufficient funds are available to fully fund scholarship awards to all eligible students, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall prorate the awards among all eligible students; however, priority consideration shall be given to persons previously receiving awards under the Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship Program.

SECTION 3. Section 37-143-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-143-11. (1) The Legislature finds that there exists a critical shortage of teachers in many areas and communities in Mississippi. It is * * * declared to be the intention of the Legislature to attract and retain qualified teachers by awarding incentive loans to persons declaring an intention to serve in the teaching field and who actually render service to the state while possessing a regular teaching license with an appropriate major or subject area of concentration.

(2) There is * * * established the "William F. Winter Teacher Scholar Loan Program."

(3) To the extent of appropriations available, students who are enrolled in any baccalaureate degree-granting institution of higher learning in the State of Mississippi accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and approved by the Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation, or any accredited nonprofit community or junior college, and who have expressed in writing a present intention to teach in (a) a critical teacher shortage area or subject area of concentration or (b) a critical teacher shortage geographic section of the state, shall be eligible for student loans to be applied to the costs of their college education. Persons who have been admitted to a teacher education program or subject areas of concentration as approved by the State Board of Education shall also qualify for loans at approved institutions.

(4) A freshman establishing initial eligibility shall be eligible for a maximum of four (4) annual loans and a senior shall be eligible for one (1) annual loan.

(5) The maximum annual loan shall be set by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning at an amount not to exceed the cost of attendance at any baccalaureate degree-granting institution of higher learning in the State of Mississippi.

(6) The loans of persons who actually render service as licensed teachers in (a) a critical teacher shortage area or subject area of concentration or (b) a critical teacher shortage geographic section of the state, as approved by the State Board of Education, designated by the State Board of Education for a major portion of the school day for at least seventy-eight (78) school days during each of eight (8) school semesters of the ten (10) immediately after obtaining a baccalaureate degree, shall be converted to interest-free scholarships. Conversion shall be based on two (2) semesters of service for each year a loan was received, and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall not authorize the conversion of loans into interest-free scholarships at any other ratio.

(7) Persons failing to complete an appropriate program of study shall immediately become liable to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for the sum of all outstanding loans, except in the case of a deferral of debt for cause by the board, after which period of deferral, study may be resumed. Persons failing to meet teaching requirements in any required semester shall immediately be in breach of contract and become liable to the board for the amount of the corresponding loan received, with interest accruing at the current Stafford Loan rate at the time the breach occurs, except in the case of a deferral of debt for cause by the board, after which period of deferral, teaching duties required hereunder will be resumed. If the claim for payment of such loan is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection after default, then the obligor shall be liable for an additional amount equal to a reasonable attorney's fee.

(8) A loan made pursuant to this section shall not be voidable by reason of the age of the borrower at the time of receiving the loan.

(9) Failure to repay any loan and interest that becomes due shall be cause for the revocation of a person's teaching license by the State Department of Education.

(10) All monies repaid to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning hereunder shall be added to the appropriations made for purposes of this section, and those appropriations shall not lapse.

(11) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning with the concurrence of the State Board of Education shall jointly promulgate regulations necessary for the proper administration of this section.

(12) If insufficient funds are available for requested loans to a qualified student during any fiscal year, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall make pro rata reductions in the loans made to qualifying applicants. Priority consideration shall be given to persons receiving previous loans and participating in the program.

(13) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall make an annual report to the Legislature. Each * * * report shall contain a complete enumeration of the board's activities, loans or scholarships granted, names of persons to whom granted and the institutions attended by those receiving the same, the teaching location of applicants who have received their education and become licensed teachers within this state as a result of the loans and/or scholarships. The board shall make a full report and account of receipts and expenditures for salaries and expenses incurred under the provisions of this section. The board shall, upon its records and any published reports, distinguish between those recipients who have breached their contracts but with the board's permission who have paid their financial obligations in full, and those recipients who have breached their contracts and remain financially indebted to the state.

SECTION 4. Section 37-149-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-149-1. (1) There is hereby established within the State Department of Education, the Mississippi Teacher Center for the purpose of insuring that the children of our state are taught by quality professionals. The center shall serve as an interagency center focused on teacher recruitment, enhanced training and initial instructional support.

(2) The center shall have a staff which shall consist of one (1) director, one (1) administrative assistant and professional teacher recruiters. A steering committee shall be established which shall consist of one (1) member from each of the following: the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges, the State Board of Education, the Board of the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges, the Board of the Mississippi Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, trustees of the local school boards, teachers and the private sector. The members of the steering committee shall be appointed by the State Superintendent with the approval of the board. The steering committee shall direct the work and establish policies for the purpose of operating the center.

(3) The center shall provide leadership for the following initiatives:

(a) The initiation and monitoring of high school programs for teacher recruitment;

(b) The initiation and monitoring of college level programs for teacher recruitment;

(c) The establishment of a Beginning Teacher/Mentoring program, as authorized in Sections 37-9-201 through 37-9-213;

(d) The sponsorship of a teacher renewal institute;

(e) The continuation of the Teacher Corps program;

(f) The enhancement of the William Winter Scholarship program;

(g) Research for the development of professional teaching standards;

(h) Provide additional scholarships for any targeted populations needing potential teachers; and

(i) Provide assistance to local school districts in identifying and locating specific teacher needs.

SECTION 5. The following shall be codified as Section 37-149-7, Mississippi Code of 1972:

37-149-7. The State Superintendent of Public Education shall appoint three (3) persons to serve as professional teacher recruiters, who shall have the following duties:

(a) To educate high school students, through oral presentations made on the campuses of all public high schools and the distribution of written materials, on the importance of teaching as a profession, emphasizing the critical need for teachers in certain geographical areas of the state and the availability of financial scholarships to college students in exchange for service as a licensed teacher in such geographical areas under the Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship Program;

(b) To encourage assistant teachers in the public schools to pursue a college education that will enable them to become licensed teachers, informing all assistant teachers of the availability of financial scholarships to both full-time and part-time college students under the Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship Program;

(c) To actively recruit, both within the state and out-of-state, teachers to render service to the state as a licensed teacher in a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education, while receiving a scholarship to pursue a Master of Education degree at an institution of higher learning under the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program;

(d) To actively recruit, both within the state and out-of-state, nonpracticing licensed teachers to return to the teaching profession to render service as a licensed teacher in a public school district in a geographical area of the state where there is a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education;

(e) To actively recruit, both within the state and out-of-state, persons holding a baccalaureate degree in a field other than education who exhibit potential for a career in teaching to pursue a standard teaching license through the alternate teaching route; and

(f) To notify teachers of the availability of special home loans, subject to eligibility for persons who render service to the state as a licensed teacher in a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education.

SECTION 6. The State Board of Education shall prescribe rules and regulations which, subject to available appropriations, allow for reimbursement to the state licensed teachers, from both in-state and out-of-state, who enter into a contract for employment in a school district situated within a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education, for the expense of moving when the employment necessitates the relocation of the teacher to a different geographical area than that in which the teacher resides before entering into such contract. In order to be eligible for the reimbursement, the teacher must apply to the local district and the district must obtain the prior approval from the department for reimbursement before the relocation occurs. If the reimbursement is approved, the department shall provide funds to the school district to reimburse the teacher an amount not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for the documented actual expenses incurred in the course of relocating, including the expense of any professional moving company or persons employed to assist with the move, rented moving vehicles or equipment, mileage in the amount authorized for state employees under Section 25-3-41 if the teacher used his personal vehicle or vehicles for the move, meals and such other expenses associated with the relocation in accordance with the department's established rules and regulations. No teacher may be reimbursed for moving expenses under this section on more than one (1) occasion.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the actual residence to which the teacher relocates to be within the boundaries of the school district which has executed a contract for employment with the teacher or within the boundaries of the area designated by the State Board of Education as the critical teacher shortage area in order for the teacher to be eligible for reimbursement for his moving expenses. However, teachers must relocate within the boundaries of the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 7. The school board of any school district situated within a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education, in its discretion, may reimburse persons who interview for employment as a licensed teacher with the district for the mileage and other actual expenses incurred in the course of travel to and from the interview by such persons at the rate authorized for county and municipal employees under Section 25-3-41. Any reimbursement by a school board under this section shall be paid from nonminimum program funds.

SECTION 8. Section 37-9-77, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-9-77. There is * * * established the Mississippi School Administrator Sabbatical Program which shall be available to licensed teachers employed in Mississippi school districts for not less than three (3) years, for the purpose of allowing such teachers to become local school district administrators under the conditions set forth in this section. The State Board of Education, in coordination with the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, shall develop guidelines for the program. Application shall be made to the State Department of Education for the Mississippi School Administrator Sabbatical Program by qualified teachers meeting the criteria for a department-approved administration program and who have been recommended by the local school board. Admission into the program shall authorize the applicant to take university coursework and training leading to an administrator's license * * * . The salaries of the teachers approved for participation in the administrator sabbatical program shall be paid by the employing school district from nonminimum program funds. However, the State Department of Education shall reimburse the employing school districts for the cost of the salaries and paid fringe benefits of teachers participating in the administrator sabbatical program for one (1) contract year. Reimbursement shall be made in accordance with the then current minimum education program salary schedule under Section 37-19-7. The local school district shall be responsible for that portion of a participating teacher's salary attributable to the local supplement, and the school board may not reduce the local supplement payable to such teacher. Any reimbursements made by the State Department of Education to local school districts under this section shall be subject to available appropriations and may be made only to school districts determined by the State Board of Education as being in need of administrators. Such teachers participating in the program on a full-time basis shall continue to receive teaching experience and shall receive the salary prescribed in Section 37-19-5, including the annual experience increments. Such participants shall be fully eligible to continue participation in the Public Employees Retirement System and the Public School Employees Health Insurance Plan during the time they are in the program on a full-time basis. As a condition for participation in the School Administrator Sabbatical Program, such teachers shall agree to employment as administrators in the sponsoring school district for not less than five (5) years following completion of administrator licensure requirements. Persons failing to comply with this employment commitment in any required school year shall immediately be in breach of contract and become liable to the State Department of Education for that amount of his salary and paid fringe benefits paid by the state, and to the local school district for that portion of his salary attributable to the local salary supplement, while the teacher was on sabbatical. * * * Interest on the amount due shall accrue at the current Stafford Loan rate at the time the breach occurs, except in the case of a deferral of debt for cause by the local school board, after which period of deferral, administrative duties required hereunder will be resumed. If the claim for repayment of such salary is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection after default, then the obligor shall be liable for an additional amount equal to a reasonable attorney's fee. This section shall stand repealed from and after July 1, 2001.

SECTION 9. Section 37-17-8, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-17-8. (1) The State Board of Education * * *, through the Commission on School Accreditation, shall establish criteria for comprehensive in-service staff development plans. These criteria shall: (a) include, but not be limited to, formula and guidelines for allocating available state funds for in-service training to local school districts; * * * (b) require that a * * * portion of the * * * plans be devoted exclusively for the purpose of providing staff development training for beginning teachers within that local school district and for no other purpose; and (c) require that a portion of the school district's in-service training for administrators and teachers be dedicated to the application and utilization of various disciplinary techniques. The board shall each year make recommendations to the Legislature concerning the amount of funds which shall be appropriated for this purpose.

(2) Beginning with the 1998-1999 school year, school districts shall not be required to submit staff development plans to the Commission on School Accreditation for approval. However, any school district accredited at Level 1 or Level 2 shall include, as a part of any required corrective action plan, provisions to address staff development in accordance with State Board of Education requirements. All school districts, unless specifically exempt from this section, must maintain on file staff development plans as required under this section. The plan shall have been prepared by a district committee appointed by the district superintendent and consisting of teachers, administrators, school board members, and lay people, and it shall have been approved by the district superintendent.

(3) In order to insure that teachers are not overburdened with paperwork and written reports, local school districts and the State Board of Education shall take such steps as may be necessary to further the reduction of paperwork requirements on teachers.

(4) In the event any school district meets Level 4 or 5 accreditation standards, the State Board of Education  * * *, in its discretion, may exempt such school district from the provisions of this section.

SECTION 10. The State Board of Education, acting through the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development, shall require each educator preparation program in the state, as a condition for approval, to include a course or courses on school discipline or classroom management as a required part of the teacher education program. All school discipline or classroom management courses offered by a teacher education program shall be approved by the Educator License Commission.

SECTION 11. Each institution of higher learning with a teacher education program approved by the State Board of Education shall prepare and submit to the State Board of Education an annual performance report on the institution's teacher education program. The report shall include the following information:

(a) Teacher enrollment data;

(b) Professional education faculty data;

(c) Characteristics of students receiving initial licensure;

(d) Number and percentage of program completers scoring at or above the proficiency level on the prescribed teacher education exit tests;

(e) Satisfaction rate of employers and graduates;

(f) Follow-up profiles of graduates of the teacher education program; and

(g) Any other information required by the State Board of Education. Before requiring any other information, the State Board of Education shall conduct collaborative planning activities with the Mississippi Association of Colleges of Teacher Education and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

The State Department of Education, in collaboration with the Mississippi Association of Colleges of Teacher Education and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, shall prepare a common form for the preparation and submission of the annual performance reports. The State Department of Education shall establish the date by which such reports must be submitted to the board. No later than sixty (60) days after the deadline date established for the submission of reports, the department shall submit a compilation of all annual performance reports received from the state institutions of higher learning to the Chairmen of the Education Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

SECTION 12. (1) There is established within the State Department of Education a school discipline grant program, available to all eligible public school districts, to assist in decreasing discipline problems in the schools.

(2) Subject to the extent of appropriations available, the school discipline grant program shall make available funds to school districts for the following activities:

(a) The development of a comprehensive school district and school level behavior modification plans;

(b) Training to both teachers and administrators in current strategies to address discipline problems;

(c) The development and implementation of beginning teacher mentoring programs, as provided for in Sections 37-9-201 through 37-9-213; and

(d) Any other related activities that may be authorized through rules and regulations established by the State Board of Education for the administration of the grant program.

(3) The State Department of Education shall provide for the monitoring of district grants to insure that programs are being implemented properly and that such programs are having a positive impact on discipline problems in participating school districts. Before January 1, 2000, the department shall submit a report to the Chairmen of the Education Committees in the House of Representatives and Senate on the effectiveness of such programs.

(4) Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for such purpose, the State Department of Education may establish regional behavioral institutes for the purpose of providing state-of-the-art training to teachers and administrators in discipline and classroom management strategies.

(5) Any school district may volunteer to participate in the school discipline grant program or in a regional behavioral institute. However, the State Department of Education may require a school district to participate in the grant program or institute, or both, if the department determines that such participation is in the best interest of the school district based upon:

(a) Complaints received and determined by the department to be valid which relate to disciplinary problems in the school district;

(b) Any visit to the school by representatives of the department which indicates disciplinary problems in the school district; or

(c) A review of reports submitted by a school district to the department which indicates disciplinary problems in the school district.

SECTION 13. (1) There is established the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program within the State Department of Education. The purpose of the program 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 at an institution of higher learning whose teacher education program is approved by the State Board of Education.

(2) Any institution of higher learning in the State of Mississippi which offers a Master of Education degree may apply to the department for participation in the program. Under the program, participating institutions shall collaborate with the Mississippi Teacher Center to identify, recruit and place teacher education graduates, from both within the state and out-of-state, in school districts situated within those areas of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education.

(3) The State Department of Education shall provide funds to participating institutions of higher learning for the purpose of awarding scholarships to qualified persons pursuing a Master of Education degree at such institutions while rendering service to the state as a licensed teacher in a school district in a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as approved by the State Board of Education. The financial scholarship shall be applied to the total cost for tuition, books, materials and fees at the institution in which the student is enrolled, not to exceed an amount equal to the highest total cost of tuition, books, materials and fees assessed by a state institution of higher learning during that school year. Teachers who relocate within Mississippi from out-of-state in order to participate in the program shall be classified as residents of the state for tuition purposes.

(4) Students awarded financial scholarships under the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program may receive such awards for a maximum of four (4) school years; however, the maximum number of awards which may be made shall not exceed the length of time required to complete the number of academic hours necessary to obtain a Master of Education degree. Financial scholarships under the program shall not be based upon an applicant's eligibility for financial aid.

(5) Persons relocating to a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as approved by the State Board of Education, to participate in the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program shall be eligible for reimbursement for their moving expenses to the critical teacher shortage from the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the administration of the relocation expense reimbursement component of the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program.

(6) Subject to the availability of funds, the State Board of Education may provide for professional development and support services as may be necessary for the retention of teachers participating in the program in those geographical areas of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers.

(7) As a condition for participation in the program, a teacher shall agree to employment as a licensed teacher in a school district located in a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education, for a period of not less than five (5) years, which shall include those years of service rendered while obtaining the Master of Education degree. Persons failing to comply with this employment commitment in any required school year shall immediately be in breach of contract and become liable immediately to the State Department of Education for the sum of all scholarships awarded and relocation expenses granted to that person, plus interest accruing at the current Stafford Loan rate at the time the breach occurs. If a claim for repayment under this subsection is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection after default, then the obligor shall be liable for an additional amount equal to a reasonable attorney's fee.

(8) The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the proper administration of the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program.

SECTION 14. There is established in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated the "Mississippi Employer-Assisted Housing Teacher Program Fund," into which shall be deposited those funds appropriated by the Legislature, and any other funds that may be made available, for the purpose of implementing a special home loan program in conjunction with Fannie Mae for eligible licensed teachers who render service to the state in a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education. Money in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the General Fund, and interest earned on any amounts deposited into the fund shall be credited to the special fund.

SECTION 15. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.