The Florida Legislature has funded the Best and Brightest Scholarship program for 2017-2018.  There are three (3) scholarships available to classroom teachers for the 2017-2018 school year in the proposed amounts of $6,000, $1,200, and $800.  

For 2017-2018, section 1012.731, F.S., continues to require that each district school board determine the eligibility of classroom teachers who qualify for the teacher scholarship.  Each district school board should review the statute and make its own decision regarding eligibility questions.

According to Florida Statute 1012.731, the scholarship program shall provide categorical funding for scholarships to be awarded to classroom teachers, as defined in F.S. 1012.01 (2)(a), who have demonstrated a high level of academic achievement and evaluation scores.  

To be eligible for the $6,000, $1,200, or $800 scholarship a teacher must meet the definition of classroom teacher according to F.S.1012.01(2)(a) - "Classroom teachers are staff members assigned the professional activity of instructing students in courses in classroom situations, including basic instruction, exceptional student education, and adult education, including substitutes."  For further clarification on the definition of classroom teacher refer to F.S. Statute 1012.01 for instructional personnel definitions.  An eligible applicant must meet the definition of (2)(a) - Classroom teacher  and be employed by a Florida Public School. ​​    

Application and detailed information will be sent to all Clay County instructional personnel upon completion of the September 26, 2017, Board meeting.  Applications are due to Human Resources by November 01, 2017, 3:00 pm.  Human Resources will verify the eligibility of each applicant and submit eligible teachers to the state by December 1, 2017.  Scholarships will be paid to eligible candidates by April 01, 2018.

N/A

205 Clay County teachers qualified for the Best and Brightest Scholarship program for the 2016-2017 school year and each received $6,819.21 before payroll required deductions.  

Human Resources anticipates a similar amount of teachers to qualify for the $6000 scholarship.  The number of teachers who qualify for the $1200 and $800 scholarship will be very significant as almost all teachers in Clay County receive either highly effective or effective final evaluation scores.  The $1200 scholarship has a requirement of the teacher having received a highly effective final evaluation for 2016-2017.  The $800 scholarship has a requirement of the teacher having received an effective final evaluation for the 2016-2017 school year.  The $800 may be prorated if the total the number of eligible teachers exceeds the total allocation.

Goal 5:  Develop and support great educators, support staff and leaders.

Human Resources recommends Board approve the definition of classroom teacher as stated in F.S.1012.01(2)(a) to be in compliance.