Senate · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session

SB300: SB300 "Student Teacher Promotion Act"; enact

Last action February 28, 2025 · Senate Read and Referred

A Georgia Senate bill would create a state grant program paying up to $7,500 to college students doing their required student teaching, funded through public schools and local school systems.

In plain language

Student teachers in Georgia currently do their required classroom training, often called student teaching, without pay from the schools where they train. This bill, called the Student Teacher Promotion Act, would set up a grant program run by the State Board of Education to change that. Public schools and local school systems could apply to the State Board of Education for grant funds, which they would then pay out to student teachers working with them. A student teacher whose school has not applied could apply directly to the State Board for funds. Total payments to any one student teacher could not exceed $7,500, and schools could pay the money in installments during the training period. The State Board would write rules to run the program, and the Department of Education would have to publish an application process by September 1, 2025.

What the bill does

Creates a new grant program letting public schools and local school systems apply to the State Board of Education for money to pay student teachers.
Caps total grant payments to any single student teacher at $7,500 during their student teaching component.
Allows a student teacher to apply directly to the State Board of Education if their assigned school has not applied for a grant.
Lets schools and school systems pay grant funds to student teachers in installments rather than a single lump sum.
Requires the State Board of Education to write rules and regulations, in consultation with the Board of Regents and the Professional Standards Commission, to run the program.
Requires the Department of Education to publish an application process on its website by September 1, 2025.

Who it affects

College and university students completing student teaching in teacher education programs approved by the Professional Standards Commission, public schools and local school systems that may apply for and distribute grant funds, and the State Board of Education and Department of Education, which would run the program.

Why it matters

Student teaching is typically unpaid, which can make it financially difficult for aspiring teachers to complete their training. This bill would give schools a way to pay student teachers up to $7,500, potentially easing that financial burden and supporting teacher recruitment, though funding depends on future legislative appropriations.

Key provisions

Section 1 names the bill the 'Student Teacher Promotion Act.'
Section 2 revises O.C.G.A. § 20-2-252 to define 'student teacher' as a college or university student in an approved teacher education program engaged in student teaching.
Section 2 directs the State Board of Education to provide grants to public schools and local school systems, subject to money being appropriated by the General Assembly.
Section 2 sets the maximum grant payment per student teacher at $7,500.00 and allows payment in installments.
Section 2 requires the State Board of Education to set rules and reporting requirements for participating schools and systems.
Section 2 requires the Department of Education to publish an application process and seek applications by September 1, 2025.
Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

Status timeline

2025-02-28Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2025-02-27Senate Hopper (Senate)

Topics

teacher recruitment
student teaching
education funding
K-12 schools
Georgia teacher pipeline