This bill modifies the Teach Iowa Scholar Program by removing the requirement that applicants must be in the top 25 percent academically of their teacher preparation program. This change aims to broaden eligibility for the program, which provides annual grants of up to $4,000 for full-time teachers in Iowa, with a maximum of $20,000 over five years. Eligible applicants must still be preparing to teach in specific subjects, including science, technology, engineering, mathematics, English as a second language, special education, or other hard-to-staff subjects.

Additionally, the bill establishes new funding allocations for the Teach Iowa Scholar Fund starting from fiscal year 2026. Specifically, it mandates that 20 percent of the awarded funds be allocated to eligible classroom teachers providing special education instruction, while 50 percent will be designated for teachers employed by rural school districts, defined as those with a certified enrollment of fewer than 1,000 students. These changes aim to enhance support for teachers in critical areas and address staffing challenges in rural education settings.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 256.218