Bill > H910

This bill proposes multiple initiatives to address teacher diversity and recruitment in North Carolina through several key programs and legislative changes. The bill establishes a Developing a Representative and Inclusive Vision for Education (DRIVE) grant program with $2 million in funding to support strategic partnerships aimed at increasing the pipeline of educators of color, focusing on recruitment, preparation, support, and retention strategies. It also creates a recruitment bonus pilot program with $15 million to provide multiyear bonuses to certified teachers who commit to teaching in low-performing or high-needs schools. Additionally, the bill introduces a teacher preparation residency pilot grant program, also funded at $15 million, to help local school administrative units develop comprehensive teacher preparation programs with components like coursework, tuition stipends, clinical training, and ongoing support. The legislation expands the Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS) program to include individuals with bachelor's degrees seeking teacher licensure and modifies the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program by increasing loan amounts, removing restrictions on specific licensure areas, and emphasizing recruitment of diverse candidates. The bill also eliminates minimum testing requirements for educator preparation program admission and requires more detailed reporting on program diversity, with the ultimate goal of creating a more representative and inclusive educator workforce that better reflects the state's student population.

Government Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H910