1012.07  Identification of critical teacher shortage areas.--

(1)  As used in ss. 1009.57, 1009.58, and 1009.59, the term "critical teacher shortage area" applies to mathematics, science, career education, and high priority location areas. The State Board of Education may identify career education programs having critical teacher shortages. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 necessary to annually identify other critical teacher shortage areas and high priority location areas. The state board shall also consider teacher characteristics such as ethnic background, race, and sex in determining critical teacher shortage areas. School grade levels may also be designated critical teacher shortage areas. Individual district school boards may identify other critical teacher shortage areas. Such shortages must be certified to and approved by the State Board of Education. High priority location areas shall be in high-density, low-economic urban schools and low-density, low-economic rural schools and shall include schools which meet criteria which include, but are not limited to, the percentage of free lunches, the percentage of students under Chapter I of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981, and the faculty attrition rate.

(2)  This section shall be implemented only to the extent as specifically funded and authorized by law.