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HB 274

Assistant Teacher Salary Waiver Grant Program; create to help assistant teachers become licensed.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Omeria Scott

Mississippi bill would create grant program providing salary waivers to assistant teachers pursuing state teaching licensure and certification.

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Bill Summary · HB 274

Legislative bill overview

HB 274 would establish a grant program in Mississippi to provide salary waivers or financial assistance to assistant teachers pursuing licensure to become fully certified teachers. The bill aims to address teacher shortages by removing financial barriers that prevent paraprofessionals from completing the education requirements and certification process needed for full teaching positions.

Why is this important

Mississippi, like many states, faces persistent teacher shortages that impact classroom quality and student outcomes. Assistant teachers represent an existing pool of educators with classroom experience who could fill vacancies if given financial support to complete their credentials. This targeted approach could be more cost-effective than recruiting and training teachers from outside the state while also providing career advancement for current school staff.

Potential points of contention

  • Budget impact and funding source: The bill's fiscal cost and whether it diverts funds from other education priorities or requires new appropriations remains unclear from available information
  • Program design specifics: Details about grant amounts, eligibility criteria, repayment obligations, and whether recipients must commit to teaching in Mississippi schools for a set period are undefined
  • Return on investment: Questions about whether waived salaries during training actually result in sustained teacher employment or if participants leave the profession after certification

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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