A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds for the north carolina teacher cadet program.
Whereas, teacher effectiveness is the most important factor in delivering positive student outcomes; and
Whereas, North Carolina is experiencing an attrition of experienced licensed teachers as well as beginning teachers; and
Whereas, there is a particular need for diverse, high‑quality teachers, especially in low‑performing schools and rural schools; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Teacher Cadet Program (NCTCP) is a successful program that encourages high‑achieving high school students to attend college and eventually teach in North Carolina public schools; and
Whereas, NCTCP actively engages in the following strategies:
(1)	Having strong partnerships with higher education institutions, including The University of North Carolina System, and collaborative relationships with local boards of education.
(2)	Offering a curriculum developed by highly qualified, licensed public school teachers and approved for high school honors credit by the Department of Public Instruction.
(3)	Providing learning through hands‑on teaching methods and field experiences delivered by educators who are required to complete Teacher Cadet curriculum training; and
Whereas, the NCTCP has an established record of helping rural and economically distressed counties to grow their own teachers from students who were born, raised, and received a high school education within the same county; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2019‑2020 fiscal year the sum of (i) two hundred seventy‑two thousand five hundred dollars ($272,500) in recurring funds and (ii) twenty‑seven thousand five hundred dollars ($27,500) in nonrecurring funds to be made available as grant‑in‑aid to the nonprofit organization known as the North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children. The funds shall be used for the following purposes related to the North Carolina Teacher Cadet Program:
(1)	Curriculum development.
(2)	Teacher training workshops.
(3)	Startup classroom grants.
(4)	Statewide meetings for newly participating local school administrative units.
(5)	Student development.
(6)	Enhancement of university and community college partnerships.
(7)	Development of recruitment plans for tier 1 counties.
(8)	Development of recruitment plans for male minority teachers.
(9)	Program tracking software and Web site sustainment.
(10)	Part‑time staff to assist in coordination of the NCTCP.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2019.