 |
| Wilson Introduces Teacher Tax Credit Bill |
March 06, 2002 |
| |
Bill provides incentives to teach in disadvantaged schools
Washington, DC-Congresswoman Heather Wilson introduced a bill today to provide tax credits for teachers in Title I schools. The United States will need to hire 2 million teachers in the coming decade. A surge in teacher retirement and growth in enrollment of students are major contributing factors to the need for more teachers.
“In reality, the problem is not an overall teaching shortage in the country, but rather a problem with the distribution of teachers between affluent and disadvantaged schools,” said Wilson. “We need qualified, competent teachers to stay in the neighborhoods that need them most. The Teacher Tax Credit Act will help recruit and retain teachers in the most needed areas.”
Wilson’s bill provides a $2,000 non-refundable tax credit for teachers, assistant teachers, principals, assistant principals in an elementary or secondary school who teach full-time in a Title I school. Title I is the federal program for schools with a high percentage of children living in poverty. There are currently 61 schools in Albuquerque participating in the Title I program.
The Teacher Tax Credit Act of 2002
Recruiting and keeping experienced educators in Disadvantaged Schools
The Teacher Tax Credit Act provides a $2,000 non-refundable tax credit for teachers, assistant teachers, principals, and assistant principals who teach or work full-time in a Title I elementary or secondary school
·
These are the schools in our poorest neighborhoods where it can be difficult to keep experienced teachers because it’s a tougher job
·
The Teacher Tax Credit Act supports these teachers so that we can truly leave no child behind
·
The credit would be available beginning in tax year 2003
·
New Mexico has 450 Title I schools
·
There are 44,877 Title I schools in the country
·
21st Century Teachers face significant challenges
We are facing a nationwide shortage of 2 million teachers in the coming decade
·
Education professionals say there is a problem with distribution of teachers-getting experienced teachers where their skills are most needed
·
New Mexico is estimated to lose 1,500 teachers each year for the next 10 years
·
A surge in teacher retirement and growth in enrollment of students are major contributing factors to the need for more teachers
·
The teaching profession has one of the highest attrition rates - one-third turnover rate in the first three years. And it is five times more likely that under-prepared teachers are teaching in minority schools
·
More than 25% of students live in poverty
More than 10% of students have learning disabilities
More than 15% are new English language learners
-END- |
|
|
|