Paul legislation celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week PDF Print E-mail
FOR RELEASE: May 5, 1999

Paul legislation celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week Measures give tax credit to teachers, prohibits federal teacher tests

WASHINGTON, DC -- Local educators will be protected from unconstitutional federal teacher exams under legislation to be introduced this week by US Rep. Ron Paul. The legislation will also protect local school districts and state governments from being punished by the Department of Education for refusing to implement federal teacher exams.
The legislation will be introduced on Wednesday, May 5, 1999, the middle of national Teacher Appreciation Week.
"Having failed to implement a national curriculum through the front door with national student testing, the Clinton Administration is now trying to implement a national curriculum through the back door with national teacher testing and certification," said Rep. Paul. "National teacher certification would allow the federal government to determine what would-be teachers need to know in order to practice their chosen profession."
Many educators have voiced opposition to national teacher certification and testing. The Coalition of Independent Education Associations (CIEA), which represents the majority of the over 300,000 teachers who are members of independent educators associations, has passed a resolution opposing the nationalization of teacher certification and testing. Also opposing national testing for teachers is the Association of Texas Professional Educators.
As more and more teachers realize the impact of this proposal, Rep. Paul said he expects opposition from the education community to grow.
"Teachers want to be treated as professionals, not as minions of the federal government."
Rep. Paul has also introduced HR937, The Teacher Tax Cut Act. This legislation would raise every teachers pay by lowering their federal tax burden. The legislation would lower teacher's taxes by $1,000 annually.