June 22, 2009 - Math, Science Teachers to Receive More Than $13,500 for Completing Incentive Program

Media Contact: Ben Hardcastle
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Oklahoma’s math and science teachers will receive more than $13,500 this year, thanks to a recent increase to a financial incentive program by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education approved awards of $13,602 each to participants who complete the Teacher Shortage Employment Incentive Program (TSEIP) after December 2009.

“This award enables Oklahoma to recruit and retain more math and science teachers,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “In today’s global economy we need to make sure our teachers remain in the state in order to provide a top-quality education for our students.”

State lawmakers created TSEIP in 2000 to attract and retain more teachers in math and science. The program is administered by the State Regents.

To be eligible for TSEIP, teachers must agree to participate while in college, obtain a math or science education degree and teach in an Oklahoma secondary school for at least five consecutive years.

After completing their fifth year of teaching, participants return documents to TSEIP, and the award is applied toward eligible student loans. Any money remaining after the student loans have been paid is given to the individual teachers. For teachers who do not have any loans to repay, they instead will receive the incentive as a cash award.

Since the first award in 2006, 93 teachers have received more than $1 million cash incentive for teaching secondary math or science in Oklahoma public schools. Enrollment in the program has increased 22 percent in the last three years.

Officials requested this month to increase the financial benefit by $1,434 to keep pace with the cost of college. The legislation that created TSEIP also requires a formula for its incentive amount, which is three times the average annual cost of undergraduate tuition and fees at a state college or university offering teacher education programs.

Students interested in learning more about TSEIP should contact the education department at their respective college or university or visit the TSEIP Web site at www.cashforteachingok.org. They may also contact the State Regents Teacher Education Program at (800) 858-1840 or e-mail ssarani@osrhe.edu.