The bill establishes the Kansas educator registered apprenticeship grant program, which aims to provide financial support to education apprentices pursuing postsecondary degrees in order to increase the number of qualified teachers in Kansas. The program will award grants for tuition, fees, books, and materials, with grants being disbursed twice a year at the time payments are due. The Kansas State Board of Education and the Secretary of Education will coordinate to develop and implement the program, including establishing application procedures and requirements for schools and apprentices.

Additionally, the bill amends existing law to facilitate the administration of the grant program, including the creation of a dedicated fund for the program. It specifies that $3,000,000 will be transferred annually from the state general fund to support the program, with provisions for managing unencumbered balances. The bill also mandates annual evaluations of the program starting in 2025, with reports submitted to relevant legislative committees. The existing section of K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 74-50,234 is repealed as part of this legislative update.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 74-50