The proposed legislation, known as the Student Teacher Compensation Act, aims to address the financial challenges faced by student teachers in Nebraska. The Act recognizes the importance of student teaching in teacher preparation and the financial hardships that many student teachers encounter due to the unpaid nature of their practicum. To mitigate these issues and encourage more individuals to pursue teaching careers, the Act establishes a stipend program administered by the State Department of Education, which will provide eligible student teachers with a stipend of four thousand dollars per semester. Eligibility criteria include enrollment in an accredited teacher education program, completion of a supervised teaching practicum at a participating school, and demonstration of financial need.

Additionally, the Act mandates the State Department of Education to submit an annual report detailing the implementation of the stipend program, including the number of recipients and feedback from participants. The Legislature intends to appropriate funds annually for this purpose and encourages the department to seek additional funding through various means. The Act will become operative on July 1, 2025, and includes provisions for the State Board of Education to adopt necessary rules and regulations to implement the program effectively. An emergency clause allows the Act to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.