1. (a)

   1. (1) There is a Teacher Development and Retention Program.
   2. (2) The Teacher Development and Retention Program is a pilot program designed to incentivize a cohort of students to pursue a career in the teaching profession.

2. (b)

   1. (1) The purpose of the Program is to provide support to eligible individuals who ultimately pledge to fulfill a service obligation as a teacher employed full-time in a high-needs school, grade level, or content area in the State in which there is a shortage of teachers, as identified by the Department.
   2. (2) The Program shall provide financial support to eligible individuals interested in pursuing a career in the teaching profession, beginning by offering eligible individuals a one-time stipend for participation in an experiential learning opportunity in a classroom and concluding by placing those individuals in high-needs schools, grade levels, or content areas.

3. (c) The Office shall establish eligibility criteria for the Program, including requirements for an applicant to:

   1. (1) Be enrolled in the first or second year at an institution of initial eligibility in an associate's or a bachelor's degree program; and
   2. (2) Before receiving an educator internship stipend under § 18-2703 of this subtitle, pledge to fulfill a service obligation as a teacher employed full-time in a high-needs school, grade level, or content area in which there is a shortage of teachers, as identified by the Department, for a minimum of 2 years.
4. (d) The Office shall administer the Program and establish a process for eligible individuals to apply to the Program.

5. (e)

   1. (1) The Office shall develop a process for awarding stipends to individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for the Program.
   2. (2) The Office shall give preference to applicants who have been employed in a public school or a publicly funded prekindergarten program within the last 5 years.

Added by Acts 2023, c. 627, § 2, eff. July 1, 2023. Amended by Acts 2024, c. 185, § 1, eff. July 1, 2024; Acts 2024, c. 186, § 1, eff. July 1, 2024.