Substitute Senate Bill No. 221 seeks to amend the Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program by broadening the eligibility criteria and updating definitions related to aspiring educators. The bill repeals the existing Section 10-156ii and introduces new language that establishes a scholarship program for individuals who have graduated from any public high school in Connecticut and are enrolled in a teacher preparation program at a four-year institution. Notably, the term "diversity" is removed, and the focus is shifted to "aspiring educators," defined as individuals from underrepresented population subgroups identified as teacher shortage areas by the Commissioner of Education. The scholarship amount is set at up to $10,000 per year for eligible students in good standing.

Additionally, the bill modifies Section 10-8b to require the Commissioner of Education to identify teacher shortage areas based on subject, geographic location, and underrepresented population subgroups. It mandates the development of a policy for administering the scholarship program, including eligibility criteria and distribution methods, and requires annual reporting on the demographics of scholarship recipients. The bill also allows the education commissioner to use up to $250,000 of unexpended scholarship funds to promote the teaching profession, including partnerships with educator preparation programs and counseling for high school students. These changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and are expected to incur costs to the State Department of Education, with potential increases in scholarship recipients and funding needs.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-156ii, 10-8b
ED Joint Favorable Substitute: 10-156ii, 10-8b
File No. 341: 10-156ii, 10-8b