summary
Introduced
02/06/2025
02/06/2025
In Committee
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Part 9 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to grants for educational programs, so as to establish grant programs to support recruitment of teachers by providing grants to qualifying student teachers enrolled in eligible educator preparation provider (EPP) programs and to such individuals who have completed their EPP programs and have begun teaching in a Georgia public school; to provide for eligibility; to provide for maximum payments; to require the Georgia Student Finance Commission and the State Board of Education to establish policies, rules, and regulations to implement the respective programs; to provide for definitions; to provide for a short title; to provide for a sunset; to provide for related matters; to provide for contingent effectiveness; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the "Student Teacher Promotion Act," establishes two grant programs aimed at recruiting and retaining teachers in Georgia's public schools. The first program, managed by the Georgia Student Finance Commission, will provide grants of up to $5,000 per year to eligible student teachers enrolled in approved educator preparation provider (EPP) programs, which are institutions that train future educators. To qualify, student teachers must be eligible for federal Pell Grants and actively participating in their student teaching in a public school. The second program, administered by the State Board of Education, will offer a one-time $2,500 signing bonus to individuals who previously received the student teacher grant, successfully completed their EPP program, and have been employed as a teacher in a Georgia public school for at least 30 days. Both programs have specific start dates, with the student teacher grants beginning July 1, 2026, and the signing bonuses starting January 1, 2027, and both are set to conclude on December 31, 2028, with funding contingent on legislative appropriations.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (6)
Bethany Ballard (R)*,
Imani Barnes (D)*,
Shaw Blackmon (R)*,
Leesa Hagan (R)*,
Carolyn Hugley (D)*,
Phil Olaleye (D)*,
Last Action
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (on 02/12/2026)
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://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70021 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/242488 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/231610 |
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