The Regents of the University of California are requested to develop a Governor’s Teacher Scholars Program, to operate, commencing July 1, 2000, at the Berkeley and Los Angeles campuses, and at additional University of California campuses, as deemed appropriate by the University, in accordance with all of the following:

(a) Prior to July 1, 2000, the university shall develop or accomplish all of the following:

(1) A rigorous teacher preparation program that prepares teachers to work in schools with high percentages of low income or English language learners and that culminates in the award of a master’s degree.

(2) Begin recruiting highly talented students who wish to become teachers.

(3) Conduct a fundraising effort to provide full scholarships to participants in the program.

(b) When the program is fully operational, a total of 400 students shall be selected to participate in the program. At least 100 of these students shall be enrolled at each of the Los Angeles and Berkeley campuses.

(c) A participant in the program shall receive a full scholarship, funded through private donations and other sources, to cover the costs of the participant related to the program. The amount of a scholarship under this section shall be limited to the amount of university fees charged to resident students and mandatory campus-based fees.

(d) A participant in the program shall be required to comply with the teaching requirements for participants in the Assumption Program of Loans for Education set forth in paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of Section 69613.

(e) A participant who leaves classroom teaching service before his or her four-year commitment is completed shall repay that portion of his or her scholarship assistance that is equal to the proportion of the four-year commitment that has not been completed.

(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 717, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2002.)