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Bill

HD 886

An Act relative to student teacher pay

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sean Reid

Establishes compensation standards for student teachers in Massachusetts to improve recruitment, accessibility, and recognition of their classroom contributions.

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Bill Summary · HD 886

Legislative bill overview

HD 886 proposes to establish or modify compensation standards for student teachers in Massachusetts. The bill addresses the financial support provided to individuals completing their teacher preparation programs through practical classroom experience. This legislation aims to improve conditions for prospective educators during their training period.

Why is this important

Student teacher compensation directly affects the accessibility of teaching careers, particularly for individuals without financial resources to work unpaid or low-paid positions. Improving student teacher pay can increase recruitment and diversity in the educator pipeline, addressing ongoing teacher shortages in Massachusetts schools. The policy also recognizes student teachers as contributors to classroom instruction rather than purely as trainees.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost to school districts: Increased compensation for student teachers represents new financial obligations for schools already facing budget constraints, raising questions about funding sources
  • Wage structure concerns: Determining appropriate pay rates raises debate over whether student teachers should earn minimum wage, partial teacher salaries, or something else entirely
  • Program logistics: Changes to compensation could affect placement availability, cooperating teacher partnerships, and university teacher preparation program agreements currently structured around unpaid or minimal-pay arrangements

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

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