S257 - Appropriations Act of 2017. (SL 2017-57)

Overview: S.L. 2017-57, Sec. 10A.5 amends the Transforming Principal Preparation grant program in multiple ways. Entities that apply for these grants must now do the following:

• Pay school leader candidates for their full-time clinical practice experiences and ensure that the experiences include at least 750 hours.
• Provide the opportunity for all school leader candidates to earn a master's degree, if they do not already have one, and subsequent principal licensure.
• Develop and enforce requirements for program graduates to serve a minimum of four years as school-based administrators in North Carolina.
• Comply with reporting and evaluation requests made by the administering nonprofit.

Additionally, the nonprofit corporation that administers the grant in conjunction with the State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA) must give priority consideration to entities that have a record of preparing principals in a service area that is underserved by existing principal preparation programs or demonstrates unmet need despite current available programs. Further, it must develop a process for early retrieval of grant funds if grant recipients do not comply with grant terms. The State Board of Education's licensure policy for individuals who complete a principal preparation program through this grant program must require candidates to hold a master's degree. 

This section became effective July 1, 2017.