Bill > HB1991

This bill establishes the Bilingual Educators Advancement Grant Program to address shortages of bilingual certified teachers in Pennsylvania public schools. The program will provide grants to school districts to recruit and retain bilingual teachers, with individual teachers eligible to receive up to $40,000 over four years ($10,000 annually) to help cover educational costs, including student loans. To qualify, teachers must be newly certified bilingual educators who commit to teaching for at least one year in a school with a documented bilingual teacher shortage. School districts will apply competitively for funding, with no single district receiving more than 60% of available funds, and the awards will be based on factors like the magnitude of teacher shortages and the district's fiscal capacity. The State Board of Education will manage the selection process, using objective criteria to choose recipients if applications exceed available awards. Recipients must sign an agreement outlining their service obligation and will be required to repay the award if they fail to complete the required service, though waivers may be granted for health or severe hardship. The program aims to incentivize bilingual teacher recruitment and retention by providing financial support and creating a structured pathway for new educators in districts with critical needs.

Education

https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb1991