Relates to the New York state masters-in-education teacher incentive scholarship program

4 Co-sponsors

• Thomas Croci
• Patrick M. Gallivan
• Jesse Hamilton
• Michael H. Ranzenhofer

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the New York state masters-in-education teacher incentive scholarship program

Purpose

This bill will align the Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program with other state scholarship programs allowing students to choose the college or university with the academic program and approach that benefits them most.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Provides access to Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Programs awards to students at non-profit institutions of higher education, as defined under section 2 of the education law.

Justification

The recently passed Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program offers awards in amount up to the annual tuition charged at a state university of New York State-operated institution for 500 New York State residents seeking to become masters' educated teachers. Currently, these award recipients must enroll in full time study in an approved master's degree in education program at a New York State public institution of higher education, leading to a career as a teacher in public elementary or secondary education in New York State.

The current program does not leverage all of New York's higher education assets in bolstering the State's teacher workforce. This bill would ensure that the program's eligibility operate& similar to other scholarship programs where the funding follows the student. Currently 70 private colleges and universities confer 61 percent of the State's bachelor and graduate education degrees.

Private colleges and universities are leaders in educating teachers and are anchor tenants in their communities. Many educate large numbers and proportions of New York State resident students, often students from the immediate region. Once graduated, these students fill critical positions in public school across the State. New York students should be able to benefit from the Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program regardless of where they choose to attend college.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

The recently passed Master's-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program is estimated to cost $1.5 million.. The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) announced at is May 6, 2015 Board Meeting that this scholarship program will not be implemented until the 2016-17 academic year, therefore, this bill have no cost in the current year.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately and shall be deemed to have been in full force and effect on and after April 1, 2016.