summary
Introduced
04/10/2025
04/10/2025
In Committee
04/14/2025
04/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT TO EXPAND AND ENHANCE THE NORTH CAROLINA TEACHING FELLOWS PROGRAM. Whereas, the pursuit of teaching is the pursuit of excellence, and excellent teachers are not just born, they are developed, equipped, trained, and valued; and Whereas, all students in North Carolina deserve to be taught by excellent teachers; and Whereas, the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program has an important legacy in North Carolina, providing the best and brightest students the opportunity to have a place of influence and distinction by elevating them to a vital role - the role of a teacher; and Whereas, based on the sorely inadequate and regularly declining enrollment in teacher preparation programs and an accelerating teacher turnover rate, North Carolina is facing an overwhelming teacher shortage across the State, especially in rural counties; and Whereas, the teacher shortage is a growing crisis for our entire educational system as well as the future of our State; and Whereas, to solve this problem and provide stable, talented, motivated, and excellent teachers in our classrooms, we need to continue to rebuild the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program; Now, therefore,
AI Summary
This bill expands and enhances the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program by making several key changes to address the state's teacher shortage. The bill increases the number of participating higher education institutions from 10 to 14, with a requirement to ensure geographic diversity and include both public and private institutions. It significantly increases the amount of forgivable loans available to prospective teachers, raising the annual amount from $5,000 to $12,000 per semester, which can be used for tuition, fees, room, board, books, and licensure-related expenses. The bill also expands the qualifying licensure areas to include additional subjects like Middle Grades Language Arts, Middle Grades Social Studies, English, Social Studies, and History. Additionally, the program will now support more administrative and enhancement activities, including summer programs and alumni engagement initiatives. The bill appropriates $10 million in recurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to support these program improvements and aims to provide financial support and incentives for students to enter the teaching profession, particularly in high-need areas. The changes will take effect July 1, 2025, and apply to the 2025-2026 academic year, with the goal of attracting and retaining talented teachers in North Carolina's public schools.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (25)
Cynthia Ball (D)*,
Monika Johnson-Hostler (D)*,
Lindsey Prather (D)*,
Julie Von Haefen (D)*,
Eric Ager (D),
Vernetta Alston (D),
Amber Baker (D),
Mary Belk (D),
Gloristine Brown (D),
Laura Budd (D),
Becky Carney (D),
Maria Cervania (D),
Sarah Crawford (D),
Julia Greenfield (D),
Pricey Harrison (D),
Beth Helfrich (D),
Frances Jackson (D),
Carolyn Logan (D),
Jordan Lopez (D),
Marcia Morey (D),
Garland Pierce (D),
Rodney Pierce (D),
Renée Price (D),
Phil Rubin (D),
Brian Turner (D),
Last Action
Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (on 04/14/2025)
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://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H941 |
| BillText | https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/House/PDF/H941v1.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/House/PDF/H941v0.pdf |
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