Schools have been anxiously awaiting the receipt of the STEM teacher reimbursement program (MST) funds for Year 3 of the program, the first of two years of a $30 million allocation. Year 3 was unique as it took place during the height of the pandemic. It was certainly a testament to schools that they were able to complete their applications, despite all the challenges to basic operations, in-person learning, and public health. Although it has been over a year since these applications were filed, the money is expected to be released soon. We’re confident it will be worth the wait.
Year 4 applications were submitted this past summer, and the allocation was, as mentioned, $30 million. This year’s allocation is $40 million, and the applications will be due August 1st. The program offers schools a substantial reimbursement for the salaries of qualified teachers, and we strongly believe that schools should take a careful look at how they can develop more eligibility for teachers to qualify for reimbursement. We can help you develop ideas to this end, project potential reimbursements, and of course, provide the application assistance that we do every year. For more information, please contact our STEM director, Adam Katz, at katza@teachcoalition.org.
On an advocacy level, we will be working hard in Albany to increase the program allocation. Our goal has always been full funding for the program, and we will not stop until we get there. To aid in our grassroots efforts to make this happen and to see how your school can get involved in our advocacy for STEM and other critical funding, please contact altfields@teachcoalition.org.