Relates to the New York state masters-in-education teacher incentive scholarship program

• Democratic6

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Patricia Fahy says this is needed

In 2018, New York passed the Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program offers awards in amount up to the annual tuition charged at a SUNY or CUNY institution for 500 New York State residents seeking to become masters' educated teachers. Currently, these award recipients must enroll in full time study in an approved master's degree in education program at a New York State public institution of higher education, leading to a career as a teacher in public elementary or secondary education in New York State. The current program does not leverage all of New York's higher education assets in bolstering the State's teacher workforce. This bill would ensure that the program's eligibility operates similar to other scholar- ship programs where the funding follows the student. Currently 70 private colleges and universities confer 61 percent of the State's bachelor and graduate education degrees. In addition, the exist- ing scholarship is not being fully used by SUNY and CUNY students, with only $989,000 of the $3 million in aid given for this scholarship being utilized. Allowing private, not-for-profit colleges to participate would not come at an additional cost to New York State or at the expense of SUNY or CUNY students. Private colleges and universities are leaders in educating teachers and are anchor tenants in their communities. Many educate large numbers and proportions of New York State resident students, often students from the immediate region. Once graduated, these students fill critical positions in public school across the State. New York students should be able to benefit from the Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program regardless of where they choose to attend college.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.