A. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are authorized to establish and maintain an incentive scholarship program to encourage the preparation of teachers, including minority teachers, in critical shortage areas for the public schools at one or more of the Oklahoma public or private higher education institutions. Prospective teachers, whether planning to pursue an undergraduate teacher education program or to become qualified to teach after earning a bachelor's degree in a critical shortage area, shall be considered if they have graduated from high school with a grade point average ranking them in the top fifteen percent (15%) of their graduating class. To the extent that funds are available, scholarships of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) per year, renewable for up to three (3) additional years, shall be awarded to cover costs of general enrollment fees, other fees, books, materials, and services provided by the institution, including room and board.

B. It is the intent of the Oklahoma Legislature that the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education create a committee composed of educators, teacher educators from the participating institutions, other professionals from the shortage area fields, and representatives of the public schools and the State Department of Education to recommend to the State Regents the following:

1. Further criteria for the selection of participants;

2. Procedures for admission;

3. Procedures and instruments for assessing the effectiveness of the program; and

4. Any other criteria or procedures deemed necessary by the State Regents.

The Committee shall prepare and deliver a report on the program to the Legislature on or before July 1 of each year.

C. Each participant, prior to entry into the program, shall have agreed to teach in the shortage areas in the public schools of this state for a minimum of three (3) consecutive years upon graduation and licensure as a teacher. Any participant failing to maintain a 2.5 grade point average, changing to an inappropriate area of study, withdrawing or otherwise leaving school, or failing to meet requirements for licensure and certification to teach as established by law shall be subject to disqualification from the program.

Added by Laws 1985, c. 354, § 3, emerg. eff. July 30, 1985. Amended by Laws 1990, c. 106, § 2, operative July 1, 1990.