Senate Bill 2570 Summary

• Establishes the Teaching Fellows Program administered by the State Board of Education, providing four-year scholarships of $6,500 per year to Mississippi high school seniors intending to teach in public schools beginning in the 2015-2016 academic year.

• Requires scholarship recipients to teach for four years at Mississippi public schools within seven years of graduation to have their loans forgiven, or three consecutive years in low-performing or conservatorship school districts.

• Creates a revolving fund for the Teaching Fellows Program using appropriated funds, loan repayments, and interest earned, which may also support campus programs and administrative costs with legislative approval.

• Phases out the Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage Act scholarship program by prohibiting new enrollments after the 2014-2015 academic year and repealing all related sections effective July 1, 2020.

• Requires annual reports to the Legislature by December 1, 2016, and thereafter detailing program participation, completion rates, employment locations, and loan default status.