Golden State Teacher Grant Program: nonpublic, nonsectarian schools.

Existing law establishes the Golden State Teacher Grant Program under the administration of the Student Aid Commission to award grants to students enrolled in professional preparation programs leading to a preliminary teaching credential or a pupil personnel services credential who commit to work for 4 years at a priority school or a California preschool program, as provided. Existing law defines a "priority school" as a school with 55% or more of its pupils being unduplicated pupils, as defined, and requires the commission, in coordination with the State Department of Education, to publish a list of priority schools by April 15 of each year. This bill would expand the definition of a "priority school" to also include a nonpublic, nonsectarian school that enrolls individuals with exceptional needs pursuant to an individualized education program and is certified by the department.