Arkansas House Bill 1023 from Representative Andrew Collins proposes adding early childhood educators to the State Teacher Education Program, specifically regarding eligibility for loan forgiveness and repayment amounts. Here's a summary:

• Expands Eligibility:

  • Allows applicants who teach in public early childhood education programs (birth through prekindergarten) to be eligible for the program.
  • Applicants can qualify with either a valid Arkansas teacher's license OR a birth through prekindergarten teaching credential from the Department of Human Services.

• Increases Loan Repayment Amounts and Duration:

  • Increases the annual loan repayment amount for eligible teachers from $6,000 to $10,000.
  • Extends the maximum duration of loan repayments from three years to five years.

• Clarifies Eligibility Criteria: Early childhood educators in the program would not have to teach in a subject area or geographical area with a teacher shortage. Licensed teachers still would.