Aspiring Educators for Paid Student Teaching

We're advocating for paid student teaching because work should be compensated and because our teacher shortage crisis is too dire for us to continue to exclude aspiring educators who cannot afford to work for a semester without pay.

Currently, our advocacy has led to the creation of House Bill 310, which includes language to support $7,500 to go to each student teacher in the state of Georgia per semester to support them while they are taking on Student Teaching, but only through your work and advocacy will lawmakers see the importance.

The Case for Paid Student Teaching

1. Removing Barriers for Aspiring Educators:

   Student teaching demands a full-time, unpaid 40+ hour-per-week commitment, all while student teachers pay tuition, rent, and other living expenses. This bill removes financial barriers, allowing future educators from all backgrounds to enter the profession without overwhelming debt.

2. Prioritizing Student Teaching:

   Student teaching is the most crucial phase of educator preparation, where hands-on experience shapes future teachers. Yet, financial stress forces student teachers to work extra jobs, leading to burnout before they even start their careers. With 50% of new teachers leaving within five years, we must support them from the start.

3. Strengthening Teacher Preparation:

   Unpaid student teaching pushes candidates toward alternative certification paths, which often lead to higher turnover and less-prepared educators. Paying student teachers ensures traditional educator prep remains a viable and effective route to quality teaching.

4. Current "Solutions" Are Failing: 

   Due to teacher shortages and financial strain, student teachers are being placed as teachers of record before proper training. This results in underprepared educators and a weaker system. Paying student teachers guarantees the mentorship and structured learning experiences necessary for long-term success.

5. A Smart Economic Investment:

   Paying student teachers is both fair and financially sound. A $7,500 stipend per student teacher (based on 6,261 graduates in 2021-2022) would cost $46.9 million—less than 0.1% of Georgia’s state budget. Stronger teacher retention reduces recruitment costs and brings stability to classrooms.

6. Georgia Has the Funds:

   With a record $11 billion surplus, Georgia can afford this investment. The state collected $400 million more than it spent last year, even after funding additional projects. The only barrier is policy. Let’s invest in our future by paying student teachers.