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Published: 03/31/2022
Strengthening the Educator Pipeline and Supporting Aspiring Educators
As of February 2022, there were 335,000 fewer public-school educators in our nation than before the pandemic; the shortage of Black and Latino teachers is especially pronounced. In fact, there are shortages across all job categories in education, from transportation to food service.
In a 2022 survey, 55 percent of NEA members said they were considering leaving the profession they love earlier than they’d planned because they feel overwhelmed and under-supported.
These shortages have been an issue for decades and now are at crisis levels in areas such as mathematics, science, special education, and bilingual education. Educators love what they do—they just need more support to pursue their passion for teaching, guiding, and supporting students.
Solutions include increasing pay and benefits; creating grow-your-own programs to recruit and prepare educators to teach and work in their local communities; fully funding teacher residency programs; and providing high-quality professional development for all educators.
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Looking for more ways to take action?
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NEA Urges NO Vote on Parents Bill of Rights Act, H.R. 5
Submitted on 03/23/2023
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NEA Comments for House Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing on “Tackling Teacher Shortages”
Submitted on 05/25/2022
Bills in Congress
Learn NEA's position on pending legislation related to public education, and take action to protect our schools
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Support
S 2731 Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act of 2023 www.congress.gov
Introduced on 09/06/2023
A bill that would raise the educator tax deduction from $300 to $1,000.
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Support
S 2369 PREP Act of 2023 www.congress.gov
Introduced on 07/19/2023
A bill that would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for teacher and school leader quality enhancement and to enhance institutional aid.
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Support
HR 4550 Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on 07/11/2023
Bipartisan legislation to help recruit and retain paraeducators and educate students with barriers to learning. The legislation also seeks to ensure they have receive the pay and support they need to thrive.
We're speaking up for our students and public schools. Visit our Action Center to find out what you can do.
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NEA’s Aspiring Educators Program supports, develops, and empowers diverse, pre-service teachers with the resources, networks, and opportunities to lead in their schools, communities, and in all phases of their career.
