Senate backs loan forgiveness to recruit autism educators

To recruit more special education teachers, the Senate passed a measure that would create a new student loan forgiveness program for educators pay off their college debt.

“We have approximately one in 36 children right now in our School Districts that suffer from autism,” said Sen. Gayle Harrell. “So we need teachers who are prepared to teach these students.”

Her bill (SB 206) was incorporated into a larger education bill (HB 851), which passed the Senate on Thursday with a 35-0 vote.

Her bill would create the Autism Educator Loan Forgiveness Program to help special education teachers pay off their debt from a master’s or bachelor’s degree if they went to an accredited college. To qualify, they must be the primary teacher in a public school classroom where most students have autism.

“Eligible participants may receive up to $17,500 in total student loan repayment assistance over 5 years, disbursed in annual payments not to exceed $3,500 per year,” according to Harrell’s proposal.

To get the money, teachers must be effective or highly effective with no discipline record. 

Also included in Harrell’s amendment is that educators certified in exceptional student education must complete an autism micro-credential. 

“This is a major step forward in making sure our teachers have the ability to address the needs of all students with autism,” said the Stuart Republican of her amendment.

It’s unclear how much the efforts could cost the state if the bill becomes law.

“The bill has an indeterminate fiscal impact to the Department of Education related to administration and funding of the Autism Educator Loan Forgiveness Program,” Senate staff analysis said. “The stipends referred to in the bill are contingent on amounts provided in the General Appropriations Act. The bill may also have an indeterminate fiscal impact related to implementation of new educator preparation, certificate renewal, and district professional learning requirements.”

Last year, Harrell filed a bill that passed the Legislature and became a new law to extend the Early Steps program availability until a child’s fourth birthday. The law added other provisions to support charter schools and Summer camps designed for autistic students and more.

Senate President Ben Albritton called helping children with autism one of his priorities last year.

“What we’re doing today is we’re sending a message to those parents,” Albritton said last year. “We hear you, and we see you, and we’re running to your fight.”

Harrell said Thursday that her latest legislation continues that push.