MS HB981

Establishes the Assistant Teacher Salary Waiver Grant Program administered by the State Board of Education to help qualified assistant teachers become licensed teachers through financial grants.

Allows school districts to enter agreements with eligible assistant teachers to waive statutory minimum salary (currently $14,000 annually) toward tuition, books, and instructional materials for a baccalaureate degree program, with maximum grant period of two academic years.

Requires grant applicants to have a minimum five years of classroom experience as a full-time assistant teacher, maintain 2.5 GPA, complete two or fewer years of coursework, pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills examination, and commit in writing to teach in Mississippi.

Imposes financial liability on grant recipients who fail to teach after earning their degree, requiring repayment of all grants plus 5% penalty and interest accruing at the current unsubsidized Federal Stafford loan rate.

Requires State Board of Education to report annually to Legislature by December 31 on the number of vacant teacher positions and positions filled by individuals holding provisional or emergency licenses.