HB05216

Establishes a stipend program for student teachers in Connecticut public schools.

The bill creates the "Student Teacher Investment and Professional Educator Network for Development" (STIPEND) program, providing student teachers with a weekly stipend of $1,000 during their student teaching experience. The Department of Education will fund this program and monitor the employment status of student teachers for three years post-graduation. The department will request reimbursement from student teachers not employed as certified teachers in public schools for at least two years. The bill also mandates annual reporting on student teacher employment rates.