House bill approved to recruit STEM teachers to the state by offering them student debt relief worth up to $10,000.
Up To $10,000 Debt Relief Payments For Eligible STEM Teachers After House Bill Approved (PHOTO: Dominion Post)
House Education Approved To Recruit STEM Teachers
On Wednesday House Education together with the head of Finance passed out HB 3068 which allows the recruitment of STEM teachers to the state by offering them student debt relief. This Offer gives a teacher who is employed for five years in a STEM field would be eligible for $5, 000 in debt relief. Moreover, teaching in the STEM field for 10 years would entitle the teacher to have a total of $10, 000 receive.
Furthermore, STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. this bill creates the West Virginia STEM Scholarship Program to “provide West Virginia educators with improved opportunities to pursue a lifelong career in helping educate students in STE fields.”
To qualify, a teacher should be a U.S. citizen and a West Virginia resident for at least one year, have a master’s degree in education, work in a West Virginia K-12 school for at least five years, and have a debt to be relieved. The program would start in January 2024 and till January 2030.
Delegates Say, The Bill Could Cause Conflict Among Teachers
According to The Dominion Post, an underlying problem arises that this could be perceived as unfair by teachers already working in the field. Delegate Dave Foggin, R-Wood, said he is employed for 23 years at Parkersburg South High School and has taught STEM physics and chemistry. “A lot of us already feel discriminated when the math and special ed salary increase in our county that put in after the state allowed them to, ” he said. Foggin has no outstanding student debt but would like to have $10, 000 to put toward his truck or house payments too. Foggin’ suggests that it would be a better idea to raise salaries instead.
Another delegate also said that under the salary raise he referred to, he makes $5, 000 less than math and special education teachers even though he teaches a lot of math. Delegate Dana Ferrell, R-Kanawha, voiced sympathy for Foggins’ position. While the bill is sought at recruiting. Ferrell knows that putting more money into the bill would open a major fiscal hole and kill it. But he’d like to see something accomplished for those already working.
Regarding the cost of the bill, neither the Department of Education nor the Higher Education Policy Commission could provide a reliable estimate in the fiscal notes attached to the bill. The DOE stated that there are 7, 068 teachers who may qualify for the program and that doesn’t count teachers who teach courses in engineering and technology. “The Legislature may want to also determine which courses are included in the definition and endorsements section.”
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