Bill > SB786

This bill establishes and expands the National Teacher Certification Incentive Reward Program by adding a new component called the Nationally Certified School Psychologist Program. The legislation modifies an existing state fund to now cover both teachers and school psychologists who obtain national certification. Specifically, the bill provides that public school psychologists who achieve national certification from the National Association of School Psychologists will be eligible for financial incentives similar to those currently available for teachers. These incentives include an initial state-funded award of $5,000 and subsequent annual awards of $2,500 for the duration of their national certification. The bill creates a special nonreverting fund within the state treasury to support these awards, ensuring that any unspent funds at the end of a budgetary period will remain in the fund rather than returning to the general fund. If the fund does not have sufficient money to provide full awards to all eligible educators, the Board will establish procedures to determine how to distribute the available funds. The legislation also gives the Board authority to issue guidelines governing these programs as needed.

Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB786