Relates to the repayment of awards under the New York state math and science teaching incentive program

BILL NUMBER:S4312B

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the repayment of awards under the New York state math and science teaching incentive program

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of the bill is to amend repayment provisions where a recipient of an award substantially completes his or her obligations, but is unable to complete such obligations through no fault of his or her own.

Summary of specific provisions

Section One - amends paragraph (b) of section 669-d of the Education Law relating to the math and science teaching incentive program to provide that when an award recipient has completed at least three years of the five year obligation, and thereafter loses his or her job through no fault, and is thereafter unable, despite best efforts, to find other employment within the seven year period required by the incentive program, then that recipient will be obligated to repay the prorated share of the award equal to five years less the number of years taught divided by five multiplied by the principal amount of the award, with interest from the time the recipient lost his or her job.

Section Two - Effective date.

Justification

Many schools are abolishing positions and releasing teachers as they downsize their faculty, sometimes releasing teachers who have worked for several years and have received tenure. Under the terms of the math and science teaching incentive program, if a recipient does not work in an eligible school for at least five of seven years after completion of his or her degree program, the entire amount of grants plus accrued interest must be repaid. With school downsizing, we find that some recipients are seeking employment, finding eligible jobs and working for several, but less than five, years before being laid off. Such recipients try to find another job, but there are no jobs available, and they are then notified that they owe the entire amount of their grant, plus interest from the inception of their participation, and that it must be paid off in ten years. This does not seem fair when such recipients have fulfilled a substantial portion of their commitment, cannot find employment through no fault of their own, and are now faced with owing more interest than if they had simply obtained school loans. In essence, participation in the grant program has penalized them. This bill seeks to remedy this unfair situation.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.