An Act to Strengthen Iowa Teacher Recruitment, Retention, and Classroom Readiness

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Iowa that the Department of Education shall establish a targeted teacher recruitment and retention initiative providing signing and retention grants for educators in rural and hard-to-staff districts, including special education, science, mathematics, and career and technical education positions; create a teacher apprenticeship and student-teaching stipend program in partnership with Iowa colleges, area education agencies, and local school districts; and distribute practical classroom supply aid to eligible districts, with priority for rural and workforce-aligned programs. Funds appropriated under this Act shall be used to expand the educator pipeline, reduce vacancy and turnover rates, and strengthen local schools’ capacity to prepare students for college, skilled trades, and in-state employment.