House Bill 1977, also known as the "Tennessee Teacher Residency Program Act," establishes a framework for supporting teacher residency programs in Tennessee. The bill mandates the Department of Education to implement a grant program for residency programs that meet specific criteria, including collaboration with educator preparation providers (EPPs) and local education agencies (LEAs). Grants can provide up to $44,500 per teacher resident to cover operating costs, stipends, and mentor teacher compensation for a maximum of 100 residents per academic year. The residency programs must include rigorous coursework, clinical apprenticeships, and a commitment from teacher residents to teach in high-need areas for at least three years post-completion.

Additionally, the bill outlines the requirements for residency programs to be eligible for grants, such as the necessity for a full academic year of coursework and apprenticeship, competitive admission standards, and support for residents after program completion. It also stipulates that successful completion of a residency program satisfies clinical experience requirements for educator licensure. The State Board of Education is tasked with creating rules for implementation, and residency programs must report their outcomes to the Department of Education annually, with a comprehensive report due every two years starting in 2028.