MontanaTeacher-pipeline grants would receive $500,000 and run through 2029
Beginning July 1, 2025, the measure would provide $500,000 for teacher-pipeline grants and scholarships, subject to the program's eligibility and service rules.
What it does
Colleges and universities working with school districts could receive grants to build teacher-training pathways, including programs at tribal and community colleges.
Students preparing for shortage-area teaching jobs could receive up to $5,000 a year, capped at $10,000 and their attendance costs, if they meet program and service conditions.
The measure would provide $500,000 for the program beginning July 1, 2025, and the printed text would keep the program running until June 30, 2029.
Argument forSchool districts and colleges could build local teacher-training paths that help students prepare for teaching in shortage areas.
Argument againstMatching funds and plans to continue programs after grants end may make it harder for smaller districts or colleges to participate.
More detail
The commissioner of higher education would administer grants for eligible postsecondary institutions to develop or expand teacher-pipeline programs. A participating postsecondary institution must work with at least one eligible school district. Eligible institutions include Montana university-system units, tribal colleges, and in-state community colleges. The grants depend on legislative funding. Programs must encourage students to pursue teaching careers. Startup grants must include matching support from a participating district or postsecondary institution and a plan to continue the program after the grant ends. A postsecondary institution may receive a grant for up to two years.
The commissioner would provide last-dollar scholarships of up to $5,000 per year to qualifying students preparing to teach. Students must be in a teacher-preparation program for a license or endorsement area identified as facing a quality educator shortage and must commit to teaching in an affected school. A scholarship may not exceed the student's cost of attendance or $10,000 total. A student must have taken part in a qualifying high-school program and earned at least six college credits toward an education degree, or live in a community with an affected school. The printed text also contains loan-conversion language, but the available excerpt does not show which wording was enacted. The printed provisions apply to grants described in the program section; no separate scholarship start date is stated.
The measure would set aside $500,000 from the general fund for the grant program. The money would go to the commissioner of higher education for the program described in Section 1. The appropriation is intended to become part of the program's ongoing base for the next legislative session. The program text states that the program terminates June 30, 2029. The appropriation covers the two-year budget period beginning July 1, 2025, and the measure states that it takes effect July 1, 2025.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Jun 20Chapter Number AssignedLatest
- Jun 19(H) Signed by Governor Greg GianforteBecame Law
- Jun 10(H) Transmitted to GovernorTo Governor
- Jun 9(S) Signed by PresidentPassed Senate
- Jun 2(H) Signed by SpeakerPassed House
- Apr 25(H) Returned from Enrolling
- Apr 22(H) Sent to Enrolling
- Vote recorded Do Concur. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 22(S) 3rd Reading
- Apr 22(S) Scheduled for 3rd ReadingMinor
- Apr 18(S) 2nd ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Do Concur. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 18(S) Scheduled for 2nd ReadingMinor
- Apr 17(S) Take from Committee; Place on 2nd Reading - (S) Education and Cultural ResourcesMinor
- Vote recorded Take HB 499 from Comm-Webber. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 16(S) Tabled in Committee - (S) Education and Cultural ResourcesMinor
- Vote recorded to_table. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 15(S) Hearing Canceled - (S) Education and Cultural Resources
- Apr 14(S) Hearing - (S) Education and Cultural Resources
- Apr 10(S) Hearing - (S) Education and Cultural Resources
- Apr 7(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Education and Cultural ResourcesMinor
- Apr 7(S) 1st Reading
- Apr 5(H) Transmitted to Senate
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 5(H) 3rd Reading
- Apr 5(H) Scheduled for 3rd ReadingMinor
- Apr 4(H) 2nd ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 4(H) Scheduled for 2nd ReadingMinor
- Apr 2(H) Committee Report - (H) Appropriations
- Vote recorded do_pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 2(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Appropriations
- Mar 31(H) Hearing - (H) Appropriations
- Mar 31(H) Rereferred to Committee - (H) AppropriationsMinor
- Mar 29(H) Committee Report - (H) Education
- Mar 28(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Education
- Vote recorded do_pass_as_amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 17(H) Hearing - (H) Education
- Feb 14(H) 1st Reading
- Feb 14(H) Referred to Committee - (H) EducationMinor
- Feb 13(H) Introduced
- Feb 12(LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
- Feb 11(LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
- Feb 11(LC) Draft in Assembly
- Feb 11(LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
- Feb 11(LC) Draft in Input/Proofing
- Feb 11(LC) Draft in Edit
- Feb 11(LC) Draft in Legal Review
- 2024
- Dec 8(LC) Drafter AssignedIntroduced
EducationTaxes & BudgetPublic Safety