The State Board of Education on Aug. 21 approved a $700,000 grant program supporting the World Class Teacher initiative, funded through the 2025 appropriation in House Bill 42.

Miss Wiggins, who presented the action item, said the total award amount is $700,000 for a one-year term and that five institutions of higher education would receive grants to support teacher-preparation activities. After presentation, a board member moved to approve the grant awards; a second was recorded by "Mister Brown," and the motion passed on a voice vote without recorded opposition.

Why it matters: the World Class Teacher grants are intended to strengthen teacher preparation and development through partnerships with institutions of higher education and are financed through recently enacted state appropriation.

Board action: motion to approve, seconded by Mister Brown; vote recorded on the record as "aye" with no opposition. The board approved the $700,000 in grant awards and the one-year grant term.