Public school staff could receive certification fee and annual grants

Candidates could apply for grants to help pay initial certification or maintenance fees. The grants are for candidates pursuing initial certification or maintenance of certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Payment depends on money being available in the Fund. For initial certification, half the grant would be paid at registration and the rest after the candidate earns certification; a maintenance grant would be paid after successful completion. Half of an initial certification grant would be paid at registration and the other half after certification is earned. A maintenance grant would be paid after successful completion of the maintenance process.

Public school staff with national certification would receive annual awards from the Fund. Awards would go to public school staff who hold national certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Staff working in a Title I school would qualify for an additional award in that year. The Fund must have enough money; if it does not, the Board would set procedures to determine award amounts. The certificate must be maintained for annual awards to continue. Annual awards would be paid during the life of the certificate and would continue upon maintenance of the certificate.