Our students are the most valuable resource we have.  In many areas, giving children a quality education would be impossible without the tireless dedication of Teaching Assistants.  They provide many valuable services for our education system, much of which goes largely unnoticed.

One provision in the No Child Left Behind Act requires that Teaching Assistants who provide instructional services in schools that receive Title I funds must meet certain requirements.  Teaching Assistants hired before January 8th 2002 must either have at least two years of study at an institution of higher education, an associates degree, or passed a test demonstrating knowledge in core subjects by January 2006. While we must make sure our schools are attracting the very best people to shape and mold the young minds of the next generation, we must not ignore those Teaching Assistants who have provided years of quality service. 

While I supported The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, there are some provisions in the Act that need to be improved upon.  As Congress looks at ways to better serve the education system in America, I will advocate for "grandfathering" Teaching Assistants from these requirements.