The bill establishes a teacher and para-educator grant program within the Iowa Department of Workforce Development, aimed at providing financial assistance to two groups of individuals. The first group includes high school students in Iowa who seek to obtain a para-educator certificate and an associate degree, while the second group consists of individuals who already hold a para-educator certificate and wish to pursue a bachelor's degree. The Department of Workforce Development is tasked with developing and administering this program, and it is required to adopt rules in consultation with the Department of Education to facilitate its implementation.

To support this initiative, the bill appropriates $3.5 million from the state general fund for the fiscal year 2026-2027 to be deposited into the newly established teacher and para-educator grant program fund. Additionally, the bill amends existing law to include experience gained through the teacher and para-educator grant program as qualifying work experience for students, allowing them to receive credit toward their student teaching requirements. This change aims to enhance the pathways for individuals entering the teaching profession in Iowa.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 8.33