Section 18-2702 - Establishment(a)(1) There is a Teacher Development and Retention Program.(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.(b)(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) 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.(c) The Office shall establish eligibility criteria for the Program, including requirements for an applicant to: (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) 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.(d) The Office shall administer the Program and establish a process for eligible individuals to apply to the Program.(e)(1) The Office shall develop a process for awarding stipends to individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for the Program.(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.Brought forward without change, 2024 Md. Laws, Ch. 186,Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2024.Brought forward without change, 2024 Md. Laws, Ch. 185,Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2024.Added by 2023 Md. Laws, Ch. 627, Sec. 2, eff. 7/1/2023, exp. 7/1/2029.