(1) As used in this section, "STEM" means science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

(2) The state board shall: (a) develop STEM education endorsements; and (b) create and implement financial incentives for: (i) an educator to earn an elementary or secondary STEM education endorsement described in Subsection (2)(a); and (ii) a school district or a charter school to have STEM endorsed educators on staff.

(a) develop STEM education endorsements; and

(b) create and implement financial incentives for: (i) an educator to earn an elementary or secondary STEM education endorsement described in Subsection (2)(a); and (ii) a school district or a charter school to have STEM endorsed educators on staff.

(i) an educator to earn an elementary or secondary STEM education endorsement described in Subsection (2)(a); and

(ii) a school district or a charter school to have STEM endorsed educators on staff.

(3) The state board shall make rules establishing the uses of STEM education endorsements described in Subsection (2), including that: (a) an incentive for an educator to take a course leading to a STEM education endorsement may only be given for a course that carries higher-education credit; and (b) a school district or a charter school may consider a STEM education endorsement as part of an educator's salary schedule.

(a) an incentive for an educator to take a course leading to a STEM education endorsement may only be given for a course that carries higher-education credit; and

(b) a school district or a charter school may consider a STEM education endorsement as part of an educator's salary schedule.