SB20-158 Summary

• Expands educator loan forgiveness program eligibility to include alternative teacher preparation programs and programs leading to educator licensure, in addition to traditional approved preparation programs and bachelor's/master's degrees.

• Modifies educator loan forgiveness program to approve new participants based on available funding in the educator loan forgiveness fund rather than a fixed annual cap of one hundred participants.

• Establishes financial stipends up to $4,000 annually for student teachers in rural areas, with 25% of remaining funds allocated after teaching fellowship programs are fully funded starting in 2020-21 fiscal year.

• Adds new category of stipends for rural teachers seeking additional license endorsements or master's degrees to meet school district needs, with allocation of 25% of remaining funds alongside other rural teacher stipend programs.

• Increases clinical practice hour requirements for teacher preparation candidates from one school year to minimum of 800 hours, with majority completed through continuous placement, and requires reading science instruction as significant focus for elementary, early childhood, and special education endorsements.