Overview

• Assembly Bill 1128 passed the Assembly and now faces a Senate vote to provide student teachers with roughly $140 a day during their 600-hour classroom practicum.
• Governor Newsom allocated $100 million toward the program in his revised budget; state analysts estimate full implementation could cost up to $300 million annually.
• Each year about 28,000 prospective teachers serve unpaid during credentialing, often facing $20,000–$40,000 program fees and average loan debts of $30,000.
• The California Teachers Association has endorsed the measure and no formal opposition has emerged as senators prepare to decide its fate.
• Supporters argue paid placements would diversify the educator workforce by attracting lower-income candidates and help alleviate the state’s teacher shortage.