2024 House Bill 377: ACT relating to teacher recruitment and retention, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring an emergency.

HB 377 establishes the Teacher Recruitment Student Loan Forgiveness Pilot Program to help Kentuckians become teachers. The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority will administer the program and can give teacher recruitment awards of up to $5,000 per semester to students with financial need enrolled in study programs to receive teacher certification. If a student doesn't complete their teaching service or fails to finish their teaching studies, they will have to repay the promissory note along with any interest. If someone does not meet repayment obligations, it can cause their teaching certificate to be revoked. This bill also creates the Student Teacher Stipend Program to reduce financial barriers for students in educator preparation programs or entering the education workforce. This would award eligible student teachers up to $5,000 during the academic term in which they are student teachers.

KSVT supports this bill as it is bipartisan and would support students aiming to become teachers. It would be important step towards encouraging more Kentuckians to become educators, who are integral to the future of students and are deserving of more support.