CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The House of Delegates is considering one of the more favorable parts in the failed education reform bill in a separate piece of legislation.
HB 3145, which would change the Underwood-Smith scholarship program, is on track to pass the House by Wednesday’s crossover day deadline.
The Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholars Program Fund would pay the tuition of students pursuing teaching degrees in math, science and special education, if those students agree to teach in geographic areas of special need West Virginia for five consecutive years following their graduation. The students would have to have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 to qualify.
The House Education Committee originated the bill last Friday. It was scheduled for second reading in the House Monday.
According to the bill, the actual amount of the tuition award would be equal to the lesser of the average cost of tuition at the student’s school or the average cost of tuition statewide. The bill also sets up a process where the state Higher Education Policy Commission could adjust the amount the award.
The program is projected to cost approximately $438,000 next budget year and $332,000 in fiscal year 2021.
The change to the existing Underwood-Smith program was part of the omnibus education bill, SB 451, that failed last week when the House of Delegates postponed indefinitely any further discussion of the controversial bill. Wording in the bill about charter schools and education savings accounts lead to a two-day education workers strike last week.