Purpose: The purpose of these rules is to provide guidance on the application and selection process for the future teachers conditional scholarship. This allows the application process to proceed while permanent rules are being reviewed and discussed.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28B.80.370.

     Other Authority: RCW 28B.102.030.

     Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.

     Reasons for this Finding: The application process for the future teachers conditional scholarship needs to begin prior to November 2004 by which permanent rules can be adopted and put into effect.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 4, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 4, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: July 23, 2004.

John Klacik

Associate Director

OTS-7382.1

     (1) Be registered at least half-time when:

     (a) A scholarship disbursement is issued; or

     (b) A loan repayment agreement is signed.

     (2) Be classified as a resident student of the state of Washington for tuition and fee purposes as defined by RCW 28B.15.012 and 28B.15.013.

     (3) Be in good standing and maintaining satisfactory academic progress according to the institution's normal requirements.

     (4) Declare an intention to complete either an approved preparation program leading to residency teacher certification or a program required for an additional endorsement.

     (5) Not be enrolled in or planning to pursue a degree in theology.

     (6) Plan to be employed as a certificated classroom teacher in an approved education program in the state of Washington.

     (7) Submit an application to the board by the requested deadline.

     (8) Submit an educational plan for board approval.

     (9) Attend an eligible institution while receiving program benefits.

[]

     The board may select participants based on an application process conducted by the board or the board may utilize selection processes for similar students in cooperation with the professional educator standards board or the office of superintendent of public instruction. If the board selects participants for the program, it shall establish a selection committee for the screening and selecting of the conditional scholarship and loan repayment participants. If a selection committee is established, it may include (but shall not be limited to) representatives from the professional educator standards board, the office of superintendent of public instruction, the Washington education association, the state board for community and technical colleges, the colleges of education, and other community organizations.

     (2) Role of selection committee.

     The committee will act on behalf of the board to select participants and alternates from the pool(s) of eligible applicants who have submitted applications to the board. The committee will also advise board staff and the board on recommended changes in the program administration, including the application and selection procedures for future competitions.

     (3) Selection of participants.

     (a) Once all initial eligibility criteria are met, the committee will give priority to individuals seeking certification or an additional endorsement in math, science, technology, or special education. For fiscal year 2005, additional priority shall be given to such individuals who are also bilingual.

     (b) The committee may consider, but is not limited to, the following items in the ranking and providing of conditional scholarship awards and loan repayments benefits:

     (i) Ability to act as a role model for students.

     (ii) Applicant's statement evidencing commitment to the teaching profession, especially in a shortage area.

     (iii) Bilingual ability.

     (iv) Class level equal to upper division or graduate standing.

     (v) Community contributions.

     (vi) Leadership ability.

     (vii) Length of time to complete teacher certification or additional shortage area endorsement.

     (viii) Recommendation from a school teacher or official describing the applicant's qualifications as a current or potential teacher.

     (ix) Superior scholastic achievement.

[]

     (2) Participants who enroll for additional course work after the completion of an academic year of full-time eligibility may be eligible for additional program benefits equivalent to a third semester or fourth quarter. In this case, the participants would be assumed to be beginning their second academic year of program eligibility. For example, a student attending a semester college who received full-time program benefits for fall, spring and summer, will have received benefits for the equivalent of 1.5 academic years.

     (3) Participants enrolled less than full-time shall receive the following prorated program benefits for terms of part-time enrollment:

     (a) Enrollment of 9.0 - 11.9 credit hours per term equals three-quarter enrollment. This shall be equal to seventy-five percent of the full-time program benefit.

     (b) Enrollment of 6.0 - 8.9 credit hours per term equals half-time enrollment. This shall be equal to fifty percent of the full-time program benefit.

     (4) Participants who receive program benefits for part-time enrollment shall have their terms of eligibility reduced on a prorated basis. For example, a participant receiving program benefits on the basis of half-time enrollment for two academic years will have used one academic year of eligibility.

[]

     Agreement with the board.

     (1) Each participant shall enter into an agreement with the board, hereafter known as the "promissory note" or "contract," agreeing to comply with the rules, regulations, and guidelines of the conditional scholarship or loan repayment programs. The promissory note or contract establishes an obligation on the part of the student to teach in an approved education program for each year of program benefit received.

     (2) The promissory note is signed by conditional scholarship participants. The note serves as the legal document verifying the participant's understanding of the opportunity to have the conditional scholarship forgiven in exchange for certificated classroom teaching service and the obligation to repay the conditional scholarship, with interest and an equalization fee, if certificated classroom teaching service is not provided.

     (3) The contract is signed by loan repayment participants. The contract details the period of time it is in effect, the documentation needed to verify federal student loan indebtedness, the loan repayment benefit to be paid in exchange for certificated classroom teaching service, and the consequences of not providing said teaching service in the agreed-upon time frame.

[]

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office