1. A. As used in this section, "eligible school district" means a public school district or public school district foundation in this state that has established a program to provide tuition or loan repayment assistance to school district employees who:

   1. 1. Pursue an undergraduate degree from a teacher preparation program accredited by the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability leading to a standard teaching certificate; or
   2. 2. Are enrolled in nondegree-seeking coursework required for completion of an approved alternative certification pathway from a teacher preparation program accredited by the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability leading to a standard teaching certificate.
2. B. There is hereby created the Grow Your Own Educator Program to provide fund grants to eligible school districts. The program shall be established and maintained by the State Department of Education.

3. C. An eligible school district seeking to participate in the Grow Your Own Educator Program shall submit an application in the manner and on a form prescribed by the State Department of Education. The application shall include:

   1. 1. The amount of fund grants requested;
   2. 2. The position of the employee pursuing an undergraduate degree or alternate certification coursework from a teacher preparation program; and
   3. 3. The subject area in which the employee is pursuing an undergraduate degree or alternate certification from a teacher preparation program.
4. D. Fund grants shall be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Grants shall be provided without any limitation other than the amount of funds available in the Grow Your Own Educator Revolving Fund created pursuant to Section 2 of this act and the number of eligible school districts that apply.

5. E. By June 30, 2027, and each June 30 thereafter, an eligible school district that receives a fund grant pursuant to this section shall electronically submit a report to the State Department of Education that includes:

   1. 1. A status update on the progress the employee receiving tuition assistance is making in the teacher preparation program in which he or she is enrolled; or
   2. 2. The employment status of the employee receiving loan repayment assistance.

6. F. By December 31, 2027, and each December 31 thereafter, the State Department of Education shall electronically submit a report to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives that includes:

   1. 1. The school district fund grant recipients;
   2. 2. The amount of fund grants allocated to each recipient;
   3. 3. The subject area in which the employee receiving tuition assistance is pursuing an undergraduate degree, or the subject area in which the employee receiving loan repayment assistance has received an undergraduate degree; and
   4. 4. The information submitted pursuant to subsection E of this section.
7. G. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section.

8. H.

   1. 1. Employees enrolled in an approved alternative certification pathway as described in subsection A of this section shall be eligible for tuition or course fee reimbursement through the Grow Your Own Educator Program.
   2. 2. Eligible coursework for alternative certification may include, but is not limited to, classes in classroom management, pedagogy, student assessment, special education, and instructional methodology, as determined by the State Department of Education.
   3. 3. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules to identify and approve eligible nondegree-seeking courses and alternative certification programs that qualify under this section.

Laws 2025, SB 235, c. 493, § 1, emerg. eff. July 1, 2025; Amended by Laws 2026, SB 2045, c. 362, § 1, emerg. eff. May 11, 2026 (superseded document available).