Wisconsin school boards would pay student teachers at least $15 hourly

School boards would pay eligible student teachers at least $15 for each hour of student teaching in the district. Eligible students would receive pay for their student teaching hours at covered district schools. Students must attend an accredited Wisconsin college or university that awards bachelor’s or higher degrees and take part in a state-approved teacher preparation program. In first-class city school districts, the requirement would exclude the commissioner and schools transferred to the opportunity schools and partnership program unless the governing chapter or a contract expressly includes them. The wage requirement would begin in the 2026–27 school year.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction would pay school boards $15 for each reported hour of eligible student teaching. Payments would cover eligible student teaching hours during the preceding school term. School boards would report student teaching hours to the department. State payments would cover $15 per hour, even if a school board chose to pay a higher wage. The proposal would set aside enough state money to make the required payments. The department would make payments annually on the third Monday in June.