By: Seliger, et al. S.B. No. 686
(Clardy)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the Math and Science Scholars Loan Repayment Program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 61.9831, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 61.9831. LOAN REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED. The
board shall provide, in accordance with this subchapter and board
rules, assistance in the repayment of eligible student loans for
eligible persons who agree to teach mathematics or science for a
specified period in schools [school districts] that receive federal
funding under Title I, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. Section 6301 et seq.).
SECTION 2. Sections 61.9832(a) and (c), Education Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) To be eligible to receive loan repayment assistance
under this subchapter, a person must:
(1) apply annually for the loan repayment assistance
in the manner prescribed by the board;
(2) be a United States citizen;
(3) have completed an undergraduate or graduate
program in mathematics or science;
(4) have a cumulative grade point average of at least
3.5 on a four-point scale or the equivalent;
(5) be:
(A) certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, to
teach mathematics or science in a public school in this state; or
(B) teaching under a probationary teaching
certificate [be enrolled in an educator preparation program to
obtain that certification that is accredited by the State Board for
Educator Certification and is provided by an institution of higher
education or by a private or independent institution of higher
education in this state];
(6) have been employed for at least one year as a
teacher teaching mathematics or science at a public school [located
in a school district] that receives funding under Title I,
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. Section
6301 et seq.);
(7) not be in default on any other education loan;
(8) not receive any other state or federal loan
repayment assistance, including a Teacher Education Assistance for
College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant or teacher loan
forgiveness;
(9) enter into an agreement with the board under
Subsection (c); and
(10) comply with any other requirement adopted by the
board under this subchapter.
(c) To receive loan repayment assistance under this
subchapter, a person must enter into an agreement with the board
that includes the following provisions:
(1) the person will accept an offer of full-time
employment to teach mathematics or science, as applicable based on
the person's certification, in a public school [located in a school
district] that receives funding under Title I, Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. Section 6301 et seq.);
(2) the person will complete four consecutive years of
employment as a full-time classroom teacher in a school described
by Subdivision (1) whose primary duty is to teach mathematics or
science, as applicable, based on the person's certification;
(3) beginning with the school year immediately
following the last of the four consecutive school years described
by Subdivision (2), the person will complete four additional
consecutive school years teaching in any public school in this
state; and
(4) the person acknowledges the conditional nature of
the loan repayment assistance.
SECTION 3. Section 61.9837(b), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) The fund is a dedicated account in the general revenue
fund and consists of:
(1) gifts, grants, and other donations received for
the fund; [and]
(2) any amounts appropriated by the legislature for
the fund; and
(3) interest and other earnings from the investment of
the fund.
SECTION 4. Sections 61.9839(a) and (b), Education Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) An eligible person may continue to receive loan
repayment assistance if the person continues to teach in a public
school that receives funding under Title I, Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. Section 6301 et seq.),
[described by Section 61.9832(a)(7)] after the first four years of
teaching service required [for eligibility] under Section
61.9832(c)(2).
(b) If an eligible person transfers to a public school
[located in a school district] that does not receive funding under
Title I, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
Section 6301 et seq.), after the first four years required for
eligibility under Section 61.9832(c)(2), the person may not receive
more than 75 percent of the maximum annual amount of the loan
repayment assistance as determined by the board.
SECTION 5. Section 61.9837(f), Education Code, is repealed.
SECTION 6. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
a loan repayment assistance agreement entered into under Subchapter
II, Chapter 61, Education Code, as added by Chapter 1229 (S.B.
1720), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, on or
after the effective date of this Act. A loan repayment assistance
agreement entered into before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect immediately before that date, and the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 7. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2015.