[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to conditional scholarships for future bilingual and English as a second language teachers; amending RCW 28B.102.020 and 28B.102.050; and adding a new section to chapter 28B.102 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 28B.102 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Through the future teachers conditional scholarship program, the board may grant a conditional scholarship to a student who meets the following requirements:

(a) Meets state residency requirements as defined by RCW 28B.15.012 and 28B.15.013; and

(b) Either has a declared intention to complete an approved preparation program leading to teacher certification with an endorsement in bilingual education or English as a second language or is a teacher who is seeking an additional endorsement in bilingual education or English as a second language.

(2) In any year, the amount of the conditional scholarship may not exceed the amount of tuition and fees at the institution of higher education attended by the student or resident undergraduate tuition and fees at the University of Washington, whichever is lower.

(3) When selecting scholarship recipients, the board shall give priority to students who are bilingual and who are able to demonstrate their dual language proficiency by meeting a standard established by the board. The board shall establish the standard in consultation with the office of the superintendent of public instruction's bilingual education advisory committee.

Sec. 2. RCW 28B.102.020 and 1996 c 53 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Conditional scholarship" means a loan that is forgiven in whole or in part if the recipient renders service as a teacher in an approved education program in this state.

(2) "Institution of higher education" or "institution" means a college or university in the state of Washington which is accredited by an accrediting association recognized as such by rule of the higher education coordinating board.

(3) "Board" means the higher education coordinating board.

(4) "Eligible student" means: (a) A student who is registered for at least ten credit hours or the equivalent, demonstrates achievement of at least a 3.30 grade point average for students entering an institution of higher education directly from high school or maintains at least a 3.00 grade point average or the equivalent for each academic year in an institution of higher education, is a resident student as defined by RCW 28B.15.012 and 28B.15.013, and has a declared intention to complete an approved preparation program leading to initial teacher certification or required for earning an additional endorsement, or a college or university graduate who meets the same credit hour requirements and is seeking an additional teaching endorsement or initial teacher certification; or (b) a student who meets the requirements of section 1 of this act. Resident students defined in RCW 28B.15.012(2)((~~(e)~~)) (f) are not eligible students under this chapter.

(5) "Public school" means an elementary school, a middle school, junior high school, or high school within the public school system referred to in Article IX of the state Constitution.

(6) "Forgiven" or "to forgive" or "forgiveness" means to render service as a teacher in an approved education program in the state of Washington in lieu of monetary repayment.

(7) "Satisfied" means paid-in-full.

(8) "Participant" means an eligible student who has received a conditional scholarship under this chapter.

(9) "Targeted ethnic minority" means a group of Americans with a common ethnic or racial heritage selected by the board for program consideration due to societal concerns such as high dropout rates or low rates of college participation by members of the group.

(10) "Approved education program" means an education program in the state of Washington for knowledge and skills generally learned in preschool through twelfth grade. Approved education programs may include but are not limited to:

(a) K-12 schools under Title 28A RCW;

(b) Early childhood education and assistance programs under RCW 28A.215.100 through 28A.215.200 or the federal head start program;

(d) Education centers under chapter 28A.205 RCW;

(e) English as a second language programs and programs leading to high school graduation or the equivalency operated by community or technical colleges; and

(f) Tribal schools in Washington approved by the federal bureau of Indian affairs.

Sec. 3. RCW 28B.102.050 and 1987 c 437 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

The board may award conditional scholarships to eligible students from the funds appropriated to the board for this purpose, or from any private donations, or any other funds given to the board for this program. With the exception of awards to participants under section 1 of this act, the amount of the conditional scholarship awarded an individual shall not exceed three thousand dollars per academic year. Students are eligible to receive conditional scholarships for a maximum of five years.