SB203 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Larry StuttsSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Teacher Initiative, phase in provision of 200 scholarships per year, scholarships for teacher preparation program students who commit to teach in rural areas of the state, service contracts provided

Summary

SB203 creates the Alabama Teacher Initiative, a scholarship program to recruit STEM and special education teachers for rural grades 7-12 by providing tuition scholarships in exchange for a five-year teaching commitment after certification.

What This Bill Does

The bill establishes a state-administered scholarship program (through ACHE) to help pay tuition for teacher-prep students in Alabama. Students must commit to teaching in rural areas with high needs for five years after earning certification, and complete their degree in four years. The program starts by funding up to 50 scholarships per year in 2020-21, phasing in to a maximum of 200 students enrolled at any one time, with funding determined by ACHE and provided by legislative appropriations. If a participant fails to meet the contract terms, they must repay scholarship funds with interest. ACHE will contract with colleges and provide administration and annual reporting on funding and participation.

Who It Affects

• Teacher preparation program students enrolled in Alabama colleges who participate and receive tuition scholarships under the initiative, in exchange for a five-year rural teaching commitment.
• Rural Alabama school districts in need of STEM and special education teachers for grades 7-12, which would gain access to more certified teachers through the initiative.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Teacher Initiative to provide tuition scholarships to eligible teacher-prep students who commit to five years of teaching in rural areas after certification.
• Administers the program through the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) with contracts between ACHE and participating colleges.
• Phases in 200 scholarships per year (starting with 50 in 2020-2021) and limits the total number of scholars at any time to 200; scholarships fund tuition and cannot replace other financial aid.
• Eligible students must be enrolled full-time in a college’s teacher-prep program for STEM or special education, sign a service contract, and complete degree and certification in four years; receive funds for up to four years of study.
• Participants must teach in a rural area of Alabama for five years after certification; failure to comply requires repayment of funds plus interest; funding is through legislative appropriations with annual reporting to the Legislature.
• ACHE shall adopt necessary rules to implement the act and the act becomes effective after a specified period following passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Teacher Initiative