Code of the District of Columbia

§ 38–274.01. HEI program; DC Collaborative; programmatic and financial report.

(a) The University of the District of Columbia shall establish a Higher Education Incentive Program ("HEI Program") for the purpose of increasing the number of early education teachers teaching in the District, including:

(1) The number of pre-k teachers and assistant pre-k teachers, who meet the degree and credential requirements established by OSSE pursuant to § 38-272.01, working in elementary education in public schools, public charter schools, and CBOs; and

(2) The number of infant and toddler lead and assistant teachers working in child development facilities, as defined in § 7-2031(3), who meet the degree and credential requirements established by OSSE pursuant to § 7-2036.

(a-1) As part of the HEI Program, the University of the District of Columbia may:

(1) Award and administer grants to District of Columbia higher education institutions to increase the number of early education teachers with advanced learning degrees or credentials;

(2) Establish and administer the HEI scholarship program described in § 38-274.02.

(a-2) To assist in the establishment and implementation of the HEI Program, the University of the District of Columbia shall establish and convene a working group, which shall be referred to as the DC Collaborative, comprised of representatives of District of Columbia colleges and universities and the OSSE, and such other individuals as the University of the District of Columbia determines may be helpful to achieve the purposes of the HEI Program.

(b) Repealed.

(c) Repealed.

(d) Repealed.

(e) The University of the District of Columbia shall submit an annual programmatic and financial report to the Mayor and to the Council on the status of the DC Collaborative and the Higher Education Incentive Program.

(f)(1) The University of the District of Columbia ("University") shall select at least 3 community-based child development centers to partner with the University's Early Childhood Infant and Toddler degree program to provide on-site classes for early childhood professionals, with one site offering coursework in a language other than English, sufficient to meet the degree and credential requirements for an Associate's Degree.

(2) The child development centers selected pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection and the University shall coordinate to determine and make available necessary supports for degree completion, including child care for program participants and additional academic, family and financial supports.