24:15:07:01.  Definitions. Terms used in this article mean:

          (1)  "Fee," any cost incurred by the candidate working towards national board certification or National Certified School Counselor;

          (2)  "National Board for Certified Counselors," an independent not-for-profit credentialing body for counselors that establishes and monitors a national certification system. The body identifies counselors who have voluntarily sought and obtained certification and maintains a register of those counselors;

          (3)  "National Board for Professional Teaching Standards," is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan, and nongovernmental organization that operates a voluntary system to certify teachers who meet specific standards related to teacher quality;

          (4)  "National Board Certified Teacher," an individual who has completed all requirements of national certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards;

          (5)  "National Certified School Counselor," an individual who has completed all the requirements of the National Board for Certified Counselors;

          (6)  "Subsidy," funds from the United States Congress to assist with the National Board Certified Teacher candidate application fee;

          (7)  "Stipend," annual payment to National Board certified teachers and National Certified School counselors;

          (8)  "Take One," a professional development opportunity that is based on the National Board Certification Assessment Program which results in one submission for entry to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards for scoring.

          Source: 33 SDR 152, effective April 5, 2007; 36 SDR 21, effective August 18, 2009.

          General Authority: SDCL 13-1-55, 13-42-26.

          Law Implemented: SDCL 13-1-54, 13-1-55, 13-42-26.

          24:15:07:02.  Fee payments. Upon obtaining national board certification or national school counselor certification, the Department of Education shall reimburse any fees personally paid by the teacher or counselor for initial, retake, and Take One applications. Reimbursement of fees is limited as follows:

          (1)  Does not include fees paid by a scholarship or outside source;

          (2)  Is available for public school teachers only; and

          (3)  Is paid only for those teachers obtaining national board certification or national school counselor certification as a certified teacher or school counselor employed in South Dakota.

          Source: 33 SDR 152, effective April 5, 2007; 36 SDR 21, effective August 18, 2009.

          General Authority: SDCL 13-1-55, 13-42-26.

          Law Implemented: SDCL 13-1-54, 13-1-55, 13-42-26.

          24:15:07:03.  Stipend payments. Each stipend is paid annually to a teacher, school counselor, or administrator who has obtained national board or national school counselor certification. A payment must follow these guidelines:

          (1)  A stipend is paid to a public school teacher, school counselor, or administrator only;

          (2)  A National Board Certified Teacher or National Certified School Counselor who moves into public school administration is eligible for continued stipend payments;

          (3)  The Department of Education shall notify each school district of any individual eligible for the stipend. The school district shall make payment during the school term the teacher first obtains national board or national school counselor certification and during the following four school terms;

          (4)  A district may opt to continue the stipend payment for an additional five years to be matched by the Department of Education up to a maximum of $1000;

          (5)  If an individual does not complete an entire year of teaching or counseling or is teaching or counseling part-time in the public school district, the stipend is pro-rated for the number of months of service to the district;

          (6)  A district may make the determination on how to fulfill the district's payment responsibilities to the candidate.

          Source: 33 SDR 152, effective April 5, 2007; 36 SDR 21, effective August 18, 2009.

          General Authority: SDCL 13-1-55, 13-42-26.

          Law Implemented: SDCL 13-1-54, 13-1-55, 13-42-26.

          24:15:07:04.  Subsidy awards. Any South Dakota teacher in a public or private school may apply for a subsidy award. Subsidies will follow these guidelines:

          (1)  The applications for subsidies are distributed by the South Dakota Department of Education;

          (2)  A subsidy is awarded once a year;

          (3)  A subsidy is based on funding availability and the number of applicants;

          (4)  A subsidy is automatically credited towards the teacher's application account at the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards office.

          Source: 33 SDR 152, effective April 5, 2007.

          General Authority: SDCL 13-42-26.

          Law Implemented: SDCL 13-42-26.