Arkansas House Bill HB1023

Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 11/20/24
• Refer: 1/13/25
• Failed: 5/5/25

Caption

To Amend The State Teacher Education Program; And To Amend The Eligibility Requirements For Loan Forgiveness And The Loan Repayment Amounts Under The State Teacher Education Program.

Impact

The amendments proposed in HB1023 seek to provide more substantial financial support to teachers who are engaged in high-need areas. Under the new framework, eligible teachers would see their annual loan repayments increased from $6,000 to $10,000, significantly boosting their financial incentives to remain in these challenging roles. This is particularly relevant for teachers who graduated after 2004 and are working in districts identified by educational authorities as having a teacher shortage.

Summary

House Bill 1023 aims to amend the State Teacher Education Program in Arkansas. This bill specifically focuses on adjusting eligibility requirements for loan forgiveness and altering the repayment amounts for participants in the program. The primary objective of the bill is to better support teachers who are working in subject areas or geographic regions experiencing critical shortages. By doing so, it attempts to enhance the workforce stability in public education within the state.

Contention

Although the bill enjoys support from various stakeholders who believe it addresses essential gaps in teacher availability, it may face scrutiny regarding its sustainability and effective implementation. Critics might argue about the long-term feasibility of the increased financial incentives and whether such measures adequately address the root causes of teacher shortages, such as working conditions and pay disparities. The focus on financial incentives could detract from necessary discussions about broader educational reforms and teacher support systems.