Oklahoma § 70-698.3 - Mathematics or science teacher shortage employment

§ 70-698.3. Mathematics or science teacher shortage employment

incentive program.

A. It is the intent of the Oklahoma Legislature that, beginning

with the 2001-2002 school year, the Oklahoma State Regents for

Higher Education establish a teacher shortage employment incentive

program for students enrolled in a major course of study in

mathematics or science at the undergraduate level or graduate level

who declare an intention to serve and who subsequently serve this

state by teaching in a secondary level public school of this state

for a minimum of five (5) years in the subject areas of mathematics

or science. Students meeting the criteria provided in this section

shall be given the opportunity to enter into participation in the

program.

B. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are

authorized to make employment incentive payments pursuant to the

provisions of this section to persons who actually render a minimum

of five (5) years of service as teachers in the public schools of

this state if not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the

teaching assignment meets the criteria specified in subsection A of

this section. The total amount of the employment incentive payments

for any qualified person shall not exceed an amount equal to three

times the average annual cost of undergraduate resident tuition and

fees for full-time enrollment at institutions which offer teacher

education programs within The Oklahoma State System of Higher

Education, as defined by the State Regents. Any amount not

necessary to repay the balance of a student's loan(s) shall be paid

directly to any person otherwise eligible for employment incentive

payments pursuant to this section.

C. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall

require the execution of appropriate contracts with eligible

persons. Persons failing to comply with the requirements of this

section shall not be eligible for the employment incentive payments

provided for in this section. The Chancellor of the Oklahoma State

Regents for Higher Education, with approval of the State Regents,

may contract with any other appropriate organization or unit of

government for the administration of the provisions of this section.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools

D. If insufficient funds are available for employment incentive

payments to qualified persons during any fiscal year, the Chancellor

may make reductions in the payments made to those qualifying.

Added by Laws 2000, c. 242, § 1, eff. July 1, 2000. Amended by Laws

2001, c. 201, § 5.