The bill amends the State Teacher Education Program by updating eligibility requirements for loan forgiveness and adjusting loan repayment amounts. It specifies that applicants must teach full-time in a public school district or early childhood education program in areas identified as having a teacher shortage. The eligibility criteria now include holding either a valid Arkansas teacher's license or a birth through prekindergarten teaching credential. Additionally, the bill clarifies that individuals who have completed an alternative educator preparation program are also eligible.

Furthermore, the bill increases the annual loan repayment amount from $6,000 to $10,000 for a maximum of five years, expanding the program's reach to more eligible individuals. The previous requirement for loan repayment was limited to licensed teachers who graduated from a teacher education program after April 2004, but this has been revised to include any individual eligible under the new criteria. The bill also states that teachers receiving intensive support under the Teacher Excellence and Support System will be ineligible for funds from the program for that school year.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1023 V2 - 1-16-2025 04:04 PM: 6-81-1604(b), 6-81-1605, 01-16-2025, 6-81-1606(a)
Old version HB1023 Original - 11-20-2024 02:39 PM: 6-81-1604(b), 6-81-1605, 6-81-1606(a)
HB 1023: 6-81-1604(b), 6-81-1605, 6-81-1606(a)