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Bill > HB274
MS HB274
MS HB274Assistant Teacher Salary Waiver Grant Program; create to help assistant teachers become licensed.
summary
Introduced
01/10/2025
01/10/2025
In Committee
01/10/2025
01/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/04/2025
02/04/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Establish The Assistant Teacher Salary Waiver Grant Program For The Purpose Of Helping Eligible Assistant Teachers To Become Licensed Teachers Through The Awarding Of Grants To Attract And Retain Qualified Teachers In The Teaching Profession; To Require The State Board Of Education To Implement And Administer The Grant Program; To Authorize School Districts To Enter Into Agreements With Qualified Assistant Teachers To Waive That Portion Of Their Salary Equal To The Amount Established As The Statutory Minimum Salary In Lieu Of A Grant For Tuition At A Postsecondary Institution For The Completion Of A Baccalaureate Degree For Purposes Of Becoming A Licensed Teacher; To Prescribe The Criteria To Be Used In Determining Eligibility And Requirements Of The Program; To Require The State Board Of Education To Make An Annual Report To The Legislature By December 31 Of Each Year On The Number Of Vacant Teacher Positions That Are Available Throughout The State And The Number Of Teacher Positions Filled By Individuals Who Hold A Provisional Or Emergency License; To Impose Financial Liability Upon Any Individual Who Fails To Fulfill His Or Her Teaching Obligation Under The Grant Program Upon Completing A Baccalaureate Degree; To Amend Section 37-21-7, Mississippi Code Of 1972, In Conformity To The Provisions Of This Act; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Assistant Teacher Salary Waiver Grant Program to help eligible assistant teachers become licensed teachers by providing financial assistance for their higher education. Under the program, qualified assistant teachers who have at least five years of classroom experience can receive a grant equivalent to their minimum annual salary (currently $17,000) for up to two academic years while pursuing a baccalaureate degree. To be eligible, applicants must be full-time assistant teachers enrolled in a Mississippi college, maintain a 2.5 GPA, pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Education exam, and commit to teaching in the state after graduation. Participants must waive a portion of their salary in exchange for tuition and instructional materials support. If a grant recipient fails to fulfill their teaching obligation after obtaining a degree, they will be liable to repay the total grants received plus a 5% penalty. The State Board of Education will administer the program and provide an annual report to the Legislature about vacant teaching positions and those filled by provisional or emergency licensed teachers. The bill aims to attract and retain qualified teachers in the teaching profession by providing a pathway for assistant teachers to become fully licensed educators.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/04/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0274.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2025/html/HB/0200-0299/HB0274IN.htm |
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