Outstanding College Students Would Receive New $16,000 Scholarships to Become Teachers under Legislation Making its Way through Congress

Thursday, June 14, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC -- The House Education and Labor Committee approved legislation yesterday evening that includes provisions that would establish a new scholarship program for excellent college students who commit to teaching in public schools for four years – a critical step towards getting highly qualified teachers into the classrooms where they are most needed.

“Nothing makes a bigger difference in the quality of a child’s education than having a good teacher,” said Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the committee and sponsor of the legislation. “If we want poor and minority children to have the same chance of success in school that their peers have, then we have to commit to encouraging more talented people to enter the teaching profession and stay there. These scholarships would represent a significant down payment on that commitment.”

America’s public schools are already facing a teacher shortage, which is expected to grow more severe over the coming decade, when it is estimated that an additional 2 million teachers will need to be hired. This teacher shortage is most acute in schools in high-poverty communities and in certain subject areas, particularly math and science.

America’s most at-risk students are too often taught by the least prepared, least experienced, and least qualified teachers. Students in high poverty schools are twice as likely as their peers to be taught by teachers with less than three years of experience. One-third of children in grades seven through twelve have teachers who lack both a college major and certification in the subjects they are teaching.

The legislation approved yesterday evening, the College Cost Reduction Act, would take a significant step towards addressing the teacher shortage by providing up-front pre-paid tuition assistance of $4,000 per year – up to a maximum of $16,000 – for excellent undergraduate and graduate students who commit to teach in high-poverty public schools in high-need subject areas, or who commit to teach children with disabilities or children who are English language learners in high-poverty schools. If the bill were to become law, the scholarships would be available to students to attend institutions of higher education nationwide.

Miller also said that having more college graduates who excel in math and science commit to teaching in high-need areas will help improve U.S. economic competitiveness. “For America to keep its global economic leadership, we must invest in a future workforce that is well-educated, innovative, and entrepreneurial. Excellent teachers today can help shape that workforce.”

Miller has also introduced comprehensive teacher quality legislation, called the Teacher Excellent for All Children (TEACH) Act. For more information on the TEACH Act, click here.

The House Education and Labor committee approved the College Cost Reduction Act by a bipartisan vote of 30 to 16 yesterday evening. The full House will vote on the legislation next. For more information, click here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Kiley / Rachel Racusen
2181 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-226-0853