AACTE recently sent a letter to all members of Congress urging them to cosponsor the EDUCATORS for America Act (S 3360/HR 6205), which would invest in and revitalize federal educator preparation programs. These programs are critical to addressing the shortage of profession-ready, fully licensed teachers in our nation’s classrooms. The letter was cosigned by 41 other education groups.
The Department of Education recently announced permanent changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to make it easier for borrowers to see their federal student loans forgiven under the program. Many of these changes were announced earlier this year on a temporary basis; they will take effect in July 2023.
Voters will cast their votes on November 8 for scores of local, state, and federal elections. The election results will likely be felt for years, including in our nation’s classrooms. The results could impact curriculum, civil rights for underrepresented students, educator preparation, and other related issues.
While election experts predict modest changes in the composition of Congress, even the slightest of changes can have significant effect on our students and educators.
What does all this mean for AACTE, its members, and the students they work with?
Join me for a discussion on Wednesday, November 9 about the challenges and opportunities we expect over the next two years, including the following:
Earlier this year, President Biden announced plans to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 for individual borrowers who make under $125,000 per year, an action that could benefit more than 40 million Americans. The application to receive debt forgiveness formally opened on October 17 and it is estimated to take about five minutes to complete.
A federal district court recently ruled against the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, saying that President Obama overstepped his authority to create the program in 2012.
The ruling legally strips Dreamers of their ability to live and work in the United States, but the appellate judges prohibited immigration officials from deporting anyone that was granted legal status until the US Supreme Court makes a final ruling on the program.
At the start of the pandemic, the federal government paused the repayment requirements for most federal student loans. More recently, the Administration announced that it would forgive a certain amount of student debt to eligible borrowers. Both announcements were meant to help borrowers through economic uncertainty caused by COVID-19 and regain their financial footing after seeing student debt balloon to over $1.6 trillion. These are unique opportunities that could see thousands of dollars eliminated from your balance. But time is running out.
In September, Congress passed legislation that permits both borrowers of a joint student loan to apply to the Education Department to have their joint loan split up into two separate loans. President Biden is expected to sign the legislation into law.
Previously, married couples were able to combine their student loan debt into joint consolidation loans, which would make them both liable for repayment of the loan. Congress eliminated the joint consolidation program effective July 1, 2006, but it did not provide a means of severing existing loans, even in the event of domestic violence, economic abuse, or an unresponsive partner.
This year, Election Day is November 8 — a little over a month away. In addition to all members of the House of Representatives, 35 U.S. senators, 36 governorships, and scores of state and local officials are up for election. There may also be ballot measures that are important to you and/or your work.
AACTE strongly urges you to exercise your right to vote and cast your ballot in November.
One of the barriers to a diverse and well-prepared educator workforce is the high cost of college and student loan debt. Research has found that higher debt burdens are associated with students avoiding public service jobs, particularly in the education field.
To encourage highly qualified individuals to become teachers or serve in other public sector jobs, the federal government created the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program in 2007, which eliminates any remaining federal student loan debt for those individuals that make 120 qualified payments while working for a qualified non-profit employer.
A bipartisan group of senators and representatives have introduced the Civics Secures Democracy Act, which would authorize an historic investment to support K–12 civic education and American history. AACTE urges members to reach out to their Members of Congress to encourage them to support the Civics Secures Democracy Act through the Action Alert in the AACTE Advocacy Center.
Over the last several decades, civics education in American schools has seen a significant decline. Given the divisiveness in our politics and the lack of knowledge and understanding of democratic principles, norms, and institutions, a robust investment in civics education is needed.
On August 31, AACTE representatives will participate in a webinar sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education (register here). Officially titled, “Helping Teachers Afford Comprehensive Pathways into the Profession and Achieve Loan Forgiveness,” the webinar will discuss TEACH Grants and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) programs, valuable tools to help attract and retain individuals interested in pursuing a career in education.
One of the barriers to a diverse and well-prepared educator workforce is the high cost of college and student loan debt. Research has found that higher debt burdens are associated with students avoiding public service jobs, particularly in the education field. These barriers are more acute for people of color interested in entering the teaching profession and hinders their ability to stay in the profession.
The U.S. Department of Education released on July 6 draft regulations intended to help student loan borrowers better manage their federal student loans.
Student loan borrowers have long been stifled by the loans they take out to pay for college, preventing them from planning for retirement, buying a home, starting a family and/or achieving other life milestones; in addition, excessive debt is one of the reasons given for why educators leave the profession. While temporary steps were taken to help these individuals during the pandemic, the underlying challenges remain. These regulations are intended to build off the pandemic-relate efforts and create a “more equitable student loan system.”
On June 23, the 50th anniversary of the enactment of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Biden Administration released a new rule (read the fact sheet) for how colleges should respond to cases of sexual harassment.
Title IX is the law that protects students, faculty, and staff from sex-based discrimination in education programs that receive federal aid. Since its inception, it has opened scores of opportunities in classrooms, athletic fields, and elsewhere on campus for traditionally underrepresented students. However, the rule has been silent until now on how to protect students that identify as LGBTQ+ as well as pregnant students and employees.
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 being signed into law. Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or any other education program that receives funding from the federal government. Specifically, it states:
No person in the United States shall, based on sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
