Section 15-240 - High-quality teacher professional development program; annual report; definitionsA. The department of education shall establish a high-quality teacher professional development program and, subject to available appropriations, may issue scholarships or grants, or both, on a competitive basis as determined by the department, to qualified applicants in order to obtain high-quality teacher professional development from a qualifying postsecondary institution that will support certificated teachers in gaining additional credentials and certifications to teach in high-need content areas. Scholarships and grants issued pursuant to this subsection may not exceed $2,000 per qualified applicant. Any qualified applicant who receives a scholarship or grant pursuant to this subsection shall agree to teach in a public school in this state for at least three additional years after completing the coursework or program at a qualifying postsecondary institution. A qualified applicant who accepts a scholarship or grant pursuant to this subsection and who does not teach in a public school in this state for at least three additional years after completing the coursework or program at a qualifying postsecondary institution shall pay back the full amount of the scholarship or grant in a manner to be determined by the department. The department may retain up to three percent of the monies appropriated for the program to offset administrative costs.B. On or before November 1 of each year, the department of education shall submit to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives a report that summarizes the results of the program. The department shall provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.C. For the purposes of this section: 1. "High-need content area" means any science, technology, engineering or mathematics or career and technical education content.2. "Qualified applicant" means a teacher who is certificated in this state by the state board of education pursuant to section 15-203 and who is currently teaching in a public school in this state. 3. "Qualifying postsecondary institution" means a regionally or nationally accredited public or private postsecondary educational institution in this state.Added by L. 2022, ch. 353,s. 1, eff. 6/30/2023.