SB225 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Larry StuttsSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

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

SB225 creates the Alabama Teacher Initiative to provide tuition scholarships to future teachers who promise to teach in rural Alabama in STEM or special education after certification.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Alabama Teacher Initiative and phases in up to 200 scholarships at a time (starting with 50 in 2021-2022) for students at public Alabama colleges who commit to five years of teaching in rural areas with high need after graduation. Scholarships are funded and administered by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) and require a service contract with ACHE (and with each participating college); students must complete their degree within four years. If a participant does not meet the terms of the contract, they must repay the scholarship funds with interest. Funding comes from legislative appropriations, and ACHE must report on funding and administer the program per the bill.

Who It Affects

• Teacher-preparation students at Alabama public two-year or four-year colleges who may receive tuition scholarships and must commit to five years of rural teaching after certification.
• Rural areas of Alabama that have the greatest need for grades 7-12 STEM and special education teachers, which this program aims to fill by attracting more teachers.
• Participating colleges in Alabama, which must partner with ACHE to provide funds and support to enrolled students.
• The Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE), which would administer the scholarship program, manage funds, and enforce service contracts.
• State taxpayers and the state budget, since funding is provided by legislative appropriations.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Teacher Initiative to recruit and fund future teachers for rural areas.
• Phases in up to 200 scholarships at any time, starting with 50 scholarships for the 2021-2022 academic year; scholarships funded by ACHE based on college tuition and appropriations.
• Eligible students are those enrolled full-time in public Alabama colleges in programs leading to STEM teaching or special education for grades 7-12.
• Requires a service contract with ACHE (and with each participating college) committing to five years of teaching in rural Alabama after certification.
• Students must complete their degree within four years and may not receive scholarships for more than four years.
• ACHE contracts with colleges to provide funds and to administer the program; funds are disbursed as tuition assistance and cannot reduce other forms of aid.
• If a student fails to comply with the service contract, they must repay the scholarship funds plus interest.
• The program is funded by legislative appropriations; ACHE must provide annual reports and funding requests to the Legislature.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after 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