Senators
Feinstein and Reid Introduce Legislation to Encourage Teachers to become Credentialed
by September '05
January 29, 2003
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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