NC S517

Establishes enhanced salary schedules for "highly qualified graduates" of North Carolina educator preparation programs who have a 3.75+ GPA and score 48+ on the edTPA assessment.

Provides salary credit of three years of experience for highly qualified graduates employed in low-performing schools for their first four years, two years for STEM/special education teachers for their first three years, and one year for all other qualified graduates for their first two years.

Appropriates $1,000,000 in recurring funds to expand the North Carolina New Teacher Support Program, adding new anchor sites at Appalachian State University and UNC Wilmington to existing sites at six universities.

Requires the State Board of Education to reimburse initial teacher licensure application fees for graduates of approved North Carolina educator preparation programs who successfully earn initial teaching licenses, with reimbursement within 30 days.

Appropriates $245,000 in recurring funds to the Department of Public Instruction to cover licensure fee reimbursements, effective July 1, 2017 for the 2017-2018 school year.