Contact: Brian Washington   (202) 822-7823

July 12, 2007

Higher Education Bill Keeps Quality Teachers in Classrooms

NEA Leaders Applaud Legislation for Easing Burden of Student Loan Debt

WASHINGTON—NEA President Reg Weaver and Anthony Daniels, chair of the Association’s Student Program, believe the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 will help reduce the alarming number of new teachers who leave the classroom because they can’t afford to make ends meet or repay their student loans.  According to a study released earlier this year by the National Center for Education Statistics, 20 percent of new teachers left the profession in the 2004-05 school year.

“This is a big step for college students, for our nation and especially for our public schools,” said Weaver.  “If this act becomes law, it will help to alleviate some of the concern that individuals who want to become teachers face about paying their student loans while supporting themselves on a beginning teacher’s salary.”

The House of Representatives passed the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 this week. The act would provide tuition assistance and loan forgiveness for college graduates who agree to become public school teachers or enter other public service professions. The Senate is expected to consider legislation concerning college affordability later this summer.

“Our children are losing too many good teachers due to skyrocketing student loan debt,” said Daniels, who represents more than 60,000 student NEA members who are preparing to become teachers. “This legislation will help to attract and retain quality teachers, and we know that good teachers help to make great public schools.”   

The bill increases the maximum Pell Grant amount by $500 over the next five years. When combined with other legislation passed or proposed by Congress this year, the maximum grant would reach $4,900 by 2008 and $5,200 by 2011, which is up from $4,050 in 2006. Students pursuing postsecondary education can receive Pell Grants based on their financial need. 

The legislation also cuts in half interest rates on student loans by 2012 and limits loan repayment amounts to a reasonable percentage of a graduate’s income. Lawmakers believe the act would pay for itself by reducing excessive federal subsidies paid to lenders in the college loan industry by $19 billion. 

“Choosing to become a public school teacher shouldn’t mean a life of debt and endless part-time jobs just to survive,” said Weaver. “We applaud the House for taking this momentous step and strongly encourage the Senate to pass this important legislation.”

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee
organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education
faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.