A new bill filed by State Rep. Amber M. Baker in the North Carolina House seeks to promote teacher diversity and address shortages through funding and program development, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 910 on April 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘DRIVE Recommendations/Teacher Diversity.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill enacts various initiatives to promote teacher diversity and address teacher shortages in North Carolina, specifically focusing on rural and special education areas. It allocates $2 million for Grow-Your-Own and 2+2 programs and establishes the DRIVE grant program to increase the pipeline of diverse educators through partnerships with local schools and higher education institutions. It introduces a recruitment bonus program for teachers in high-needs schools, with $15 million allocated, and a teacher preparation residency pilot grant program with a similar $15 million funding. The bill enhances support for diverse candidates in the FELS program and expands the NC Teaching Fellows Program, with a $5.7 million appropriation to support additional teacher candidates. It mandates annual diversity reporting by educator preparation programs and removes minimum testing requirements for admission. The act is effective July 1, 2025.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Zack Hawkins proposed the most bills (47) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Baker graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a BS.
Baker, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 72nd House district, replacing previous state representative Derwin Montgomery.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, Julie von Haefen, and Zack Hawkins | HB 910 | 04/10/2025 | DRIVE Recommendations/Teacher Diversity. |
| Amber M. Baker, Bill Ward, and Zack Hawkins | HB 957 | 04/10/2025 | HBCU/HMSI Omnibus. |
| Amber M. Baker and Kanika Brown | HB 995 | 04/10/2025 | Shotgun House Funding Act. |
| Amber M. Baker, Brian Turner, Julia Greenfield, and Tim Longest | HB 798 | 04/07/2025 | Expand Access to Cold Weather Shelters/Funds. |
| Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, Julie von Haefen, and Lindsey Prather | HB 807 | 04/07/2025 | Strong Public Schools for a Strong NC. |
| Amber M. Baker, Allison A. Dahle, Cynthia Ball, and Phil Rubin | HB 691 | 04/02/2025 | Voter Protection and Reliance Act. |
| Amber M. Baker, Cecil Brockman, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 709 | 04/02/2025 | K-3 Literacy and Improvement Act. |
| Amber M. Baker, B. Ray Jeffers, James Roberson, and Zack Hawkins | HB 639 | 04/01/2025 | Prioritize In-State Applicants/UNC Ed Schools. |
| Amber M. Baker, Allen Buansi, Allison A. Dahle, and Phil Rubin | HB 580 | 03/31/2025 | SBOE Legislative Changes.-AB |
| Amber M. Baker, Cynthia Ball, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 588 | 03/31/2025 | School Psychologist Omnibus. |
| Amber M. Baker, Dante Pittman, Julie von Haefen, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 521 | 03/26/2025 | Healthy Families & Workplaces/Paid Sick Leave. |
| Amber M. Baker and Kanika Brown | HB 392 | 03/13/2025 | Funds/Forsyth United Way/Summer Learning. |
| Amber M. Baker and Kanika Brown | HB 393 | 03/13/2025 | Funds for One Love Festival. |
| Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, Monika Johnson-Hostler, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 325 | 03/06/2025 | Legislative Building Field Trip Pilot Program. |
| Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, Monika Johnson-Hostler, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 340 | 03/06/2025 | Universal AIG Screening in Middle Schools. |
| Amber M. Baker, Carolyn G. Logan, and James Roberson | HB 249 | 02/27/2025 | Diversity in Pickleball Pilot Program. |
| Amber M. Baker, Carolyn G. Logan, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 168 | 02/21/2025 | North Carolina CROWN Act. |
