Committee advances bill to broaden teacher loan-assistance beyond math and science

House Bill 124, sponsored by Representative Collins, would broaden an existing loan-assistance program and retitle it (Collins said it "changes it from AmSTEP to LaSia") so that participants in educator shortage fields beyond math and science can qualify.

Representative Barbara Drummond questioned why existing funds for the current program had not been fully used and whether policy barriers were preventing uptake. "Why haven't they used all of the money?" Drummond asked, noting concern about expanding a program that is underutilized.

Dr. Purcell, called forward to explain the program, said the original AmSTEP effort targeted math and science at the request of K–12 stakeholders and that the state did not initially know how much money it would need. On identifying shortages, Dr. Purcell said the commission looks at vacancies and the percent of teachers working out of their certified subject, noting that the cutoff used has been "anything above 30%." He cited Perry County as an early example that reached about 83% teaching out of subject in math and science when the program began. "So that county, 83%," Dr. Purcell said.

Dr. Purcell told the committee the fiscal note for the bill does not change and that the change is intended to allow collaboration between K–12 and higher education to identify current shortage areas and adjust support accordingly. Committee member questions focused on how shortage fields would be selected and whether an objective formula exists; Dr. Purcell described the selection as data-driven (vacancies and percent teaching out of subject) rather than purely subjective. The committee moved and approved a favorable report by voice vote.

The committee did not provide detailed appropriation figures in the hearing; members said the bill simply broadens program eligibility and would not require additional appropriations according to the fiscal note presented in committee.