CTEP: Classroom Teacher Enrollment Program

Black male chemistry teacher in lecture hall

CLASSROOM TEACHER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (CTEP) CRITERIA

AUTHORIZATION:   During the 1993 Regular Legislative Session, the Legislature passed House Bill 535, and the Governor later signed into law, Act 253 of 1993 which enacted Louisiana Revised Statutes (L.R.S.) 17:3129.3. This law created the Louisiana Classroom Teacher Enrollment Program (CTEP), which, if several stipulations are met, allows classroom teachers to attend Louisiana’s public colleges and universities tuition-free (all other fees must be paid by the teacher) on a space available basis. This law was amended by Act 1213 (HB 2187) of 1995 which is now L.R.S. 17:3129.3(C)(2)(c). The law also requires that classroom teachers who participate in CTEP during any one school year shall be obligated to practice as a classroom teacher in the elementary or secondary schools of Louisiana for at least the subsequent school year.

The CTEP program is applicable and valid only for courses offered by the main campus of the college or university where the teacher plans to attend. As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, CTEP may be used to schedule online/distance learning courses. Independent study courses, practicum courses, thesis courses, and dissertation courses are still not eligible for tuition exemption under the CTEP program. The law creating CTEP limits course enrollment to six (6) semester hours per academic year semester [four (4) semester hours per academic year quarter at Louisiana Tech University].  Course enrollment limits for summer sessions or quarters under this program are those imposed by the college or university in which the teacher enrolls.

ELIGIBILITY:  The following conditions must be met to qualify for CTEP.

  1. If in a discipline funded by the BESE Tuition Program for Teachers, teachers should apply for the tuition fund to be assured placement in a course with other students who have paid the tuition if they meet course and university requirements. If denied tuition funding for the course(s) s/he intended to schedule under the BESE Tuition Program for Teachers because the tuition funding has been exhausted, teachers may apply for CTEP.ORIf all funds dedicated to the BESE Tuition Program for Teachers have been exhausted and teachers are not otherwise eligible to enroll in such course(s) pursuant to the BESE Tuition Program for Teachers, established by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for the current semester, quarter, or session, the teacher may apply for CTEP.

2.  When applying for CTEP, the following requirements must be met.

      • Meet all requirements for admission to the technical college, community college, or university at the appropriate level (undergraduate or graduate, degree-seeking or non-degree seeking) and have completed the appropriate admissions process and been accepted for admission by the college or university which s/he plans to attend under CTEP.
      • Meet all prerequisite requirements for the course(s) in which s/he intends to enroll under CTEP.  The course should lead to an education degree/certification area or increase the content knowledge of the subject area currently being taught by the applicant.
      • Not be, or have been, registered for the semester, quarter, or session in which s/he plans to participate in the CTEP program for the course(s) in which s/he intends to enroll under this program.
      • Be employed full-time as a classroom teacher and hold a valid Louisiana Teaching Certificate, or if the application is for the summer session or quarter, have been so employed during the previous academic year.
      • Be employed as a classroom teacher by:
          • A city or parish school board; or
          • A non-public school approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).
      • Have no outstanding financial obligation to any college or university participating in CTEP.
      • Commit to a school/district where s/he will practice his/her profession as a classroom teacher for at least the subsequent year.
      • Classroom teachers need to be aware that submission of an application for CTEP does not guarantee admission to a course after the drop/add period.  If a course is filled with students who have paid tuition, a teacher cannot use CTEP to take the course.  If a required number of students do not officially pre-register/register and pay tuition to meet the minimum number of students for courses to be offered, universities drop and do not offer the courses.  If that should occur, it will not be possible for a teacher who applied for CTEP to take the course, and it will be too late for them to register for a different course and pay tuition if it is after the drop/add period.

PROCEDURES

Prior to the close of business on the last day for adding courses to student’s schedules for the semester, quarter, or session for which the teacher plans to enroll under CTEP, the teacher must:

      • Obtain a copy of the CTEP guidelines from the Board of Regents website or from local colleges or universities.  In addition, other information about procedures that may be specific to individual colleges or universities.
      • Apply and be accepted for admission to the college or university in which s/he intends to enroll under CTEP, at the appropriate level (undergraduate or graduate, degree-seeking or non-degree seeking).
      • NOT HAVE PREREGISTERED OR REGISTERED for any of the courses in which s/he intends to enroll under CTEP.
      • Meet all prerequisites for the course(s) in which s/he intends to enroll under CTEP.
      • Complete the CTEP Application Form, sign it, and have it signed electronically by the Employing Authority.  A new CTEP application must be signed and submitted electronically each quarter/semester.
      • Email the CTEP Application Form from the applicant’s district-issued email address to the college or university in which s/he plans to enroll under CTEP.
      • CTEP applicants will be notified within three working days after the last day to add classes whether they are eligible or ineligible to participate in CTEP.  It is important that prospective CTEP participants give accurate contact information as to how they may be contacted by the college/university during this period.
      • CTEP applicants must register late and must pay required fees no later than two working days after being notified that they are eligible to participate in CTEP.

Initially Adopted by the Board of Regents – December 10, 1993
Revised Guidelines Adopted by the Board of Regents – December 5, 2002
Revised Guidelines Adopted by the Board of Regents – June 20, 2018
Revised Guidelines Adopted by the Board of Regents – January 2021
COVID-19 Emergency Guidelines Adopted by the Board of Regents – April 22, 2020

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Prior to completion and submission of the CTEP application, all applicants MUST carefully review the CTEP Guidelines to ensure procedures are followed properly. Please contact Melissa Anders, Program Administrator for Teacher and Leadership Initiatives at 225-342-4253 or melissa.anders@laregents.edu if you have additional questions.

Documentation has been provided to indicate that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education tuition program funds are exhausted for the academic quarter/semester.

CTEP Application