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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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NEA Comments for House Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing on “Tackling Teacher Shortages”
Submitted on 05/25/2022
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NEA Seeks Co-sponsors for Teacher, Principal, and Leader Residency Access Act
Submitted on 02/17/2022
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Support the Consider Teachers Act (S 848)
Submitted on 07/26/2021
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
HR 8340 Educator Down Payment Assistance Act of 2022 www.congress.gov
Introduced on 07/12/2022
The Educator Down Payment Assistance Act will make home ownership more affordable and attainable for educators, so teachers and education support professionals can can afford to live in the communities they teach in.
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Support
S 3171 Teacher, Principal, and Leader Residency Access Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on 11/04/2021
The legislation would expand Federal Work-Study funds to pay for a portion of the cost of residency programs.
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Support
S 848 Consider Teachers Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on 03/18/2021
This bill revises the service obligation verification process for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program.
We're speaking up for our students and public schools. Visit our Action Center to find out what you can do.
Learn More
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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.
