74-32,107b. Teacher education competitive grant program; administration; match requirements. (a) As used in this section:

(1) "Board" means the state board of regents.

(2) "Institution" means a state educational institution as defined by K.S.A. 76-711, and amendments thereto, and Washburn University.

(3) "Program" means the teacher education competitive grant program established by this section.

(4) "Hard-to-fill teaching discipline" means a teaching discipline in which there is a critical shortage of teachers as determined and specified by the state board of education.

(5) "Underserved area" means a geographic area of the state in which there is a critical shortage of teachers as determined by the state board of education.

(6) "Teacher education program" means a program specifically targeted at increasing the number of students who complete a course of instruction leading to licensure as a teacher in a hard-to-fill teaching discipline or who agree to teach in an underserved area.

(b) There is hereby established the teacher education competitive grant program. Subject to the limitations of appropriations therefor, any institution which desires to establish or expand a teacher education program may submit an application for a competitive grant of moneys in an amount to be determined by the board for the purpose of paying the costs of establishing or expanding a teacher education program and any operating expenses related thereto. Grants shall be matched on the basis of $2 from the teacher education grant program for $1 from the institution receiving the grant. Grant moneys may be expended for creation of new teacher education programs or the expansion of existing teacher education programs provided by an institution.

(c) In order to be eligible for a grant under this section, the institution shall submit to the board an application for a grant. The application shall be prepared in such form and manner as required by the board and shall be submitted at a time to be determined and specified by the board.

(d) The board shall establish standards and criteria for reviewing, evaluating and approving applications for grants submitted pursuant to this section. All grants shall be awarded by the board in accordance with the standards and criteria established by the board. Within the limitations of appropriations therefor, the state board shall determine the amount and number of grants and be responsible for payment of grants to institutions.

(e) Each institution which is awarded a grant under this section shall make such periodic and special reports of statistical and financial information to the board as it may request.

(f) This section shall be part of and supplemental to the teacher service scholarship program.

History: L. 2007, ch. 173, § 16; July 1.