AK SB188

Requires school districts and the state Department of Education to pay $1,500 annual incentive payments in January to each teacher holding current, valid national board certification.

Provides an additional $1,000 annual supplemental incentive payment to nationally board-certified teachers in high-poverty schools with low performance ratings, or alternatively pays up to $1,000 directly to the certification board for teachers actively pursuing certification in such schools.

Establishes a National Board Teacher Certification Loan Program administered by the commission, providing eligible teachers with $2,500 lump-sum loans repayable over three years at zero percent interest.

Limits loan eligibility to teachers currently employed by the state or school districts teaching pre-kindergarten through grade 12 who are actively pursuing national board certification and sign a repayment agreement.

Requires the state Department of Education to provide funding to districts for incentive payments, subject to appropriation and in addition to existing state aid.