AL HB124

Renames the Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program (AMSTEP) to the Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama (LASEA) Program and expands eligibility beyond math, science, and computer science teachers to educators in any program identified as having an acute educator shortage.

Provides base loan assistance of $7,500 per year ($3,750 per semester) for up to four consecutive years to eligible educators certified in acute shortage programs and employed in Alabama public K-12 schools.

Offers supplemental loan assistance of $3,000 per year ($1,500 per semester) for up to four consecutive years to educators who also work in schools or school systems identified as acute educator shortage locations.

Requires the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, in consultation with the State Department of Education and the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services, to determine acute educator shortages and shortage locations at least once per academic year.

Mandates development of an accountability and evaluation plan with defined goals, metrics, and monitoring procedures; effective date is August 1, 2026.