HB261 Summary

• Establishes the Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program (AMSTEP) administered by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education to provide federal loan repayment awards to eligible public school teachers of mathematics or science.

• Eligible teachers must hold a valid Alabama professional educator certificate endorsed in secondary math or science, teach full-time in an Alabama public school, be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, have 12 months Alabama residency, and carry outstanding federal student loans.

• Provides base awards of $5,000 per year ($2,500 per semester) for a maximum of four consecutive years to teachers who graduated from approved educator preparation programs after spring 2018.

• Offers additional supplemental awards of $2,500 per year ($1,250 per semester) for teachers serving in geographic areas with acute math or science teacher shortages, as determined by the commission in consultation with the State Department of Education.

• Awards are distributed directly to recipients in two annual disbursements (after January 1 and June 1) and are contingent upon available funding; if award exceeds outstanding loan balance, the award is reduced to match the balance.