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LB 523

Adopt the Student Teacher Compensation Act

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Margo Juarez

Nebraska creates a $4,000-per-semester stipend for student teachers during supervised practicums to reduce financial hardship and boost program completion.

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Bill Summary · LB 523

Summary: LB 523 – Adopt the Student Teacher Compensation Act

Overview

LB 523, introduced by Senator Juarez in the 2025 legislative session and assigned to the Education Committee, would establish the Student Teacher Compensation Act. The bill creates a state-administered stipend program to financially compensate Nebraska student teachers during their supervised teaching practicums, in an effort to address teacher shortages and support teacher education program completion.

  • Notice of hearing: March 11, 2025
  • Primary sponsor: Senator Margo Juarez
  • Committee: Education
  • Operative date: July 1, 2025
  • Emergency provision: The act takes effect upon enactment due to an emergency clause
  • Estimated funding approach: Legislature to appropriate funds annually; Board may pursue additional funding via grants, private donations, or federal programs

Purpose and Intent

  • Recognize student teaching as a critical, time-intensive component of teacher preparation.
  • Acknowledge financial hardship faced by student teachers due to unpaid practicum experiences.
  • Address Nebraska’s teacher shortages, especially in high-need subject areas and rural regions.
  • Encourage and enable more individuals to enter and complete teacher education programs by providing financial support during practicum.

Key Provisions

Definitions (Sec. 3)

  • Accredited teacher education program: A college/university program accredited by a recognized agency and acceptable to the State Board of Education that prepares individuals for teacher certification.
  • Participating school: Any Nebraska public, private, denominational, or parochial school hosting a student teacher.
  • Student teacher: An individual enrolled in an accredited teacher education program and participating in a supervised teaching practicum required for certification.

Stipend Program (Sec. 4)

  • The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) must develop and administer a stipend program.
  • Each eligible student teacher who applies and meets requirements receives a stipend of $4,000 per student-teaching semester.
  • Eligibility criteria for the stipend:
    • Enrolled in an accredited Nebraska teacher education program.
    • In the process of completing or contracted to complete a supervised teaching practicum at a participating school.
    • Demonstrates financial need, as determined by the department.
  • Application requirements (examples shown in statute):
    • Student teacher’s name
    • Program name
    • Participating school where practicum occurs
    • Demonstration of financial hardship
    • Any additional information the department requires

Reporting and Transparency (Sec. 5)

  • NDE must electronically submit an annual report to the Clerk of the Legislature and the Governor.
  • Reports must be public and posted on the department’s website.
  • Contents of the report include:
    • Number of student teachers receiving stipends
    • Distribution by geographic area and subject matter
    • Feedback from participants and participating schools on the program’s effectiveness (no individual identifiers)

Funding and Administration (Secs. 6–7)

  • Legislative intent to appropriate funds annually to provide stipends.
  • NDE may seek additional funding through grants, donations, or federal programs.
  • State Board of Education may adopt rules and regulations to implement the Act.

Who is Affected

  • Student teachers in Nebraska enrolled in accredited programs and completing supervised practicums at participating schools (eligible for the stipend if financial need is demonstrated).
  • Teacher education programs (colleges/universities) and their student-teachers.
  • Participating schools hosting student teachers.
  • State Department of Education and State Board of Education (administration, rulemaking, reporting).

Procedural Timeline and Status

  • Introduced: January 21, 2025
  • Referred to: Education Committee (January 23, 2025)
  • Hearing notice: March 11, 2025

Potential Impact

  • Direct financial support for student teachers (up to $4,000 per semester) could improve recruitment, retention, and completion of teacher education programs.
  • Data collection will inform program effectiveness and geographic/subject-area distribution of stipends.
  • Budgetary considerations for ongoing annual funding and potential grants or private contributions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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