HB 1412 Summary

• Establishes three new levels of teacher certificates (advanced, lead, and master) with annual stipends of $3,000, $5,000, and $10,000 respectively, funded from lottery revenues.

• Teachers in schools with 40% or more economically disadvantaged students or districts with fewer than 1,000 students receive additional one-time awards of $1,500, $2,500, and $5,000 for each certificate level.

• School districts may designate up to 10% of teachers annually for these certificates based on evaluation criteria including teacher observation, out-of-classroom time, and student performance; districts in top quartile Title I funding may designate an additional 10%.

• Stipends are excluded from calculations for minimum salary schedules and Teachers' Retirement System contributions or benefits, and designation criteria are not subject to collective bargaining.

• Creates the Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund to allocate stipend amounts to school districts on a first-come, first-served basis; act becomes effective July 1, 2025.