A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO SUPPORT NEW TEACHERS IN NORTH CAROLINa AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS. 
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

PART I. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR CERTAIN GRADUATES OF AN APPROVED NORTH CAROLINA EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM
SECTION 1.(a)  For purposes of this subsection, a "highly qualified graduate" is an individual entering the teaching profession who has graduated from an approved educator preparation program located in North Carolina (i) with a grade point average of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, and (ii) with a score of 48 on the edTPA assessment or an equivalent score on the nationally normed and valid pedagogy assessment used to determine clinical practice performance. Notwithstanding the State standard salary schedule for teachers in the Current Operations and Capital Improvements Act, a highly qualified graduate shall be paid pursuant to the "A" Teachers salary schedule at the highest level for which that person qualifies, as follows:
(1)	A highly qualified graduate who is employed in a school identified as low‑performing by the State Board of Education pursuant to G.S. 115C‑105.37 on the date that person accepts initial employment shall be paid as though that person has three years of experience on the "A" Teachers salary schedule during that person's first four years of employment as a teacher, without a break in service, as long as that person remains teaching (i) at the same school or (ii) at another school or local school administrative unit identified as low‑performing on the date that person accepts subsequent employment with the other school or local school administrative unit.
(2)	A highly qualified graduate licensed and employed to teach in the areas of special education, science, technology, engineering, or mathematics shall be paid as though that person has two years of experience on the "A" Teachers salary schedule during that person's first three years of employment as a teacher, without a break in service, as long as that person continues teaching in one of those areas.
(3)	A highly qualified graduate licensed and employed to teach by a local board of education shall be paid as though that person has one year of experience on the "A" Teachers salary schedule during that person's first two years of employment as a teacher without a break in service.
SECTION 1.(b)  This section becomes effective only if funds are appropriated in the 2017 Regular Session of the 2017 General Assembly to implement the provisions of this act and would apply beginning with the 2017‑2018 school year.

PART II. FUND THE NORTH CAROLINA NEW TEACHER SUPPORT PROGRAM
SECTION 2.(a)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) in recurring funds for the 2017‑2018 school year to support and expand the North Carolina New Teacher Support Program. In addition to the current sites for this program at East Carolina University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Western Carolina University, two new anchor sites are established at Appalachian State University and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. 
SECTION 2.(b)  This section becomes effective July 1, 2017, and applies beginning with the 2017‑2018 school year.

PART III.  REIMBURSE INITIAL TEACHER LICENSURE FEE FOR CERTAIN GRADUATES OF AN APPROVED NORTH CAROLINA EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM
SECTION 3.(a)  G.S. 115C‑269 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(a4)	Notwithstanding subsection (a2) of this section, the State Board of Education shall reimburse the initial teacher licensure application fee for the first time an applicant submits an application for teacher licensure, if the applicant meets all of the following requirements:
(1)	The applicant is a graduate of an approved educator preparation program located in North Carolina.
(2)	The applicant has successfully earned an initial teaching license in North Carolina.
The State Board shall issue reimbursement to the applicant within 30 days of the date the applicant successfully earns an initial teaching license in North Carolina."
SECTION 3.(b)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction the sum of two hundred forty‑five thousand dollars ($245,000) in recurring funds for the 2017‑2018 school year to reimburse the initial teacher licensure application fee for qualifying applicants pursuant to this section. 
SECTION 3.(c)  This section becomes effective July 1, 2017, and applies to applications for licensure received on or after that date.

PART IV. EFFECTIVE DATE
SECTION 4.  Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.