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Committee weighs language to define 'teacher' and 'paraprofessional' for a scholarship program
Summary
House Bill 2487 would define who qualifies as a 'teacher or paraprofessional' for the Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship, requiring a building administrator to certify eligibility to the State Board of Regents; Regents staff said the change provides needed clarity after program rollout.
House Bill 2487, requested by the Board of Regents, was presented to the Committee on Education as a technical clarification to eligibility for the Kansas Education Opportunity Scholarship.
Revisor Jason Long explained the bill would add a definition: an eligible individual is "an employee of a Unified School District or under the employ of a non public school located in Kansas whose primary employment duties consist of providing classroom instruction to any student in those grades pre k through 12 or who provides instructional support to those students in pre k through 12." The bill also requires a building administrator to certify that the individual satisfies the standard to the State Board of Regents.
Vice President Frisbie, appearing as a proponent, told the committee the language is intended to help staff administer the program after initial implementation in 2024 and to provide clarity on which parent‑employee relationships make students eligible.
The committee heard no oral opposition at the hearing; members had few questions. Revisor Long said the change would go into effect July 1 if enacted. The hearing was closed and the committee moved on to the next item.
