(a) For purposes of this section, “minority” means individuals whose race is defined as other than white, or whose ethnicity is defined as Hispanic or Latino by the federal Office of Management and Budget for use by the Bureau of Census of the United States Department of Commerce.

(b) The Regional Educational Service Center Minority Recruiting Alliance, in consultation with the Department of Education, the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the constituent units of the state system of higher education and the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, shall study methods to (1) encourage minority middle and secondary school students to attend institutions of higher education and enter teacher preparation programs, (2) recruit minority students attending institutions of higher education to enroll in teacher preparation programs and pursue teaching careers, and (3) recruit and maintain minority teachers in Connecticut schools.

(c) Not later than October 1, 2007, the Regional Educational Service Center Minority Recruiting Alliance, in consultation with the Department of Education, the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the constituent units of the state system of higher education and the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, shall propose guidelines to the Commissioner of Education and the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities for pilot programs to recruit and retain minority teachers and may consider, but such consideration need not be limited to, the establishment and operation of the following pilot programs:

(1) A fellows program leading to the eligibility for an educator certificate for minority individuals who have (A) completed an intensive summer session focusing on classroom management and methodology, (B) received a bachelor’s degree from an institution of higher education accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or Office of Higher Education or regionally accredited, (C) achieved a satisfactory score on the examination required pursuant to § 10-145f or have had such requirement waived pursuant to said section, and (D) have such other qualifications for the issuance of an educator certificate as are required for individuals participating in the alternate route to certification program under § 10-155d;

(2) A competitive grant program to assist local and regional boards of education to form and operate future teachers’ clubs as part of the extracurricular activities at middle and high schools under their jurisdiction; and

(3) A program to allow minority college seniors who are majoring in subject shortage areas pursuant to § 10-8b but who are not enrolled in a teacher preparation program to receive up to three credits for working as cadet teachers in a public school and, upon graduation and recommendation by school officials, to allow such cadet teachers to enter a fellows program pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection if such a program is in operation.

(d) Not later than January 1, 2008, the Regional Educational Service Center Minority Recruiting Alliance shall report, in accordance with § 11-4a, on (1) the results of the study pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, (2) the guidelines for pilot programs developed pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, and (3) the establishment and operation of any pilot program pursuant to subsection (c) of this section to the Department of Education, the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and higher education.