NC H1049

Establishes a program in the Department of Public Instruction to fund National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification for teachers at low-performing schools as defined in G.S. 115C-105.37(a).

Selects up to 75 teachers from low-performing schools to receive grants covering full NBPTS application fees, with requirement that recipients teach at their current low-performing school or another low-performing school in North Carolina for at least three years.

Requires the Department to recruit experienced NBPTS-certified teachers to mentor and provide professional development services to selected grant recipients.

Appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2016-2017 to cover application fees and compensate experienced teacher mentors.

Effective date: July 1, 2016.