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Committee advances bill to expand future-teacher scholarship and add three-year residency pilot
Summary
HB 1977 would expand the state's Future Teacher Scholarship and create a three-year teacher residency pilot for up to 100 students per year, with residency participants committing three years of service and drawing up to $7,500 annually; committee members pressed for clarity on targeted settings and placement rules.
The Government Operations Committee voted to advance HB 1977 after a sponsor presentation and questions about program eligibility and administration. Chairman White said the bill modifies the Future Teacher Scholarship (enacted in 2023) and adds a three-year teacher-residency pilot intended to recruit more classroom teachers, including nontraditional candidates.
Chairman White explained that the 2023 scholarship allows recipients to draw $3,500 per year while in an educator-preparation program and that the new residency pilot would limit participation to no more than 100 students per year, who would be eligible to draw $7,500 per year for up to four years while in the program. Traditional scholarship recipients must commit to at least two years of teaching in a Tennessee LEA or public charter school; residency participants would commit to three years.
Representative Renaud asked what constitutes a "targeted setting" and how low-performing LEAs would be prioritized for placements. The sponsor said eligibility depends on the program and noted existing residencies in Memphis, Nashville and Chattanooga; he said placement details are likely to be clarified through program design and rulemaking. Members also questioned whether residency programs or individual students are liable to reimburse funds if a participant fails to complete the program; the sponsor said funds flow to the residency program and the program would be responsible for repayment in that event, while some members noted local practice where students may be required to repay.
The clerk reported the committee vote as 11 ayes and 0 nays; HB 1977 was forwarded to Finance, Ways and Means for further consideration.
