Senators Feinstein and Reid Introduce Legislation to Encourage Teachers
to become Credentialed by September '05
January 29, 2003
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Washington,
DC
- U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Harry Reid (D-NV) have
introduced legislation that would give teachers a financial incentive
to become fully credentialed before the 2005-2006 academic year.
"The
single most effective way we can increase student achievement is to
have our children taught by well-trained, high-caliber teachers," Senator
Feinstein said. "Yet, far too many of our students are being
taught by teachers who are not fully credentialed. This is unacceptable."
"Last year, Congress approved legislation requiring that all teachers
in our public schools be fully credentialed by the 2005-2006 school
year. This legislation would help us reach that goal, and help ensure
that all of our children are taught by highly qualified teachers."
Current law allows teachers to have up to $5,000 of their student loans
forgiven in exchange for 5 years of teaching in a school that serves
low-income students. The legislation would double the loan cancellation
limit to $10,000 for credentialed teachers, and allow uncredentialed
teachers to continue to be eligible to receive up to $5,000 of their
loans forgiven. This added incentive to get teachers credentialed would
sunset on December 31, 2005.
In addition, the legislation would establish a grant program, under
which states would be eligible to receive funding to develop or expand
teacher credentialing programs at colleges and universities.
- Preference for grants would be made to those programs that develop and implement curriculum to address the needs of underserved communities as determined by the State Board in conjunction with the school, such as special education, science, bilingual, and sign language programs.
- Funds would not be allowed to be used for school construction, but would be allowed to be used for the development of curriculum and to develop recruitment strategies for faculty necessary to train teachers.
"With the expected population growth and the need to replace teachers approaching retirement, States must act swiftly and aggressively to ensure the highest quality education possible - and this legislation would help them do that," Senator Feinstein said. "I urge my colleagues to join me in this effort. Our nation's students deserve nothing less."
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