10 Dec2021
AACTE Endorses Educators for America Act
On behalf of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone issued the following statement in support of the Educators for America Act, which would update and modernize Title II of the Higher Education Act:
“AACTE enthusiastically supports the Educators for America Act and thanks Sen. Reed and Rep. Adams for their unwavering leadership in support of educator preparation. This comprehensive bill will make robust investments in teacher and other educator preparation programs while alleviating our nation’s educator shortage, diversifying the profession, and providing critical support to our member institutions and their community partners.”
The legislation, introduced by Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.), addresses crises in educator preparation, including the growing teacher shortage, fewer students completing bachelor’s degrees in education, and the lack of diversity in the profession. The primary purpose of the Educators for America Act is to “build the capacity of educator preparation programs to ensure all students have access to profession-ready educators, recruit new and diverse educators into the profession, invest in partnerships between higher education, state and local partners, and support innovation to meet the changing needs of students.” The legislation specifically calls for
- Authorizing two, $500 million grant programs to support states in developing and implementing strategies to meet their educator workforce needs, as well as expanding partnership programs such as the Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP).
- Reauthorizing the Honorable Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program to support historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions in expanding and strengthening their educator preparation programs.
- Doubling TEACH Grants to $8,000 per year and providing additional protections and options to make becoming a teacher more affordable.
Tags: advocacy, federal issues, funding, higher education, teacher quality, workforce development
