CA AB1623

Establishes the Golden State Teacher Grant Program under the Student Aid Commission to provide $20,000 one-time grants to students enrolled in approved teacher credentialing programs starting January 1, 2020.

Grant recipients must commit to teaching in high-need fields (bilingual education, STEM, science, special education, or other designated fields) for 4 years after receiving their preliminary teaching credential, with 5 years to meet this obligation.

Recipients must repay $5,000 annually (up to $20,000 total) for each year they fail to maintain good academic standing, complete their preparation program, pass the state basic skills proficiency test, or fulfill their 4-year teaching service requirement.

Exceptions to repayment requirements may include completing at least half a school year, employer certification of fulfilled contractual requirements, school district financial circumstances, qualifying conditions under the Family and Medical Leave Act, or military active duty over 30 days.

Requires legislative appropriation of funds to implement the program and mandates the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to designate high-need subjects annually based on California's teacher supply analysis.