The future of American education hinges on teacher education, recruitment and retention. So said many policymakers during a May 20 U.S. House of Representatives committee hearing on America’s Teacher Colleges.  Their comments would seem to have fallen on deaf ears. When the Education and Workforce Committee met in June to markup H.R. 2211, "The Ready to Teach Act," and H.R. 438, "Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act," the legislators failed to include several key provisions that the AFT believes would promote quality education.

The Ready to Teach Act addresses teacher education, preparatory programs for future teachers and teacher certification. The AFT supports keeping the original structure of Title II of the Higher Education Act, as well as new provisions that align Title II with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).  The Union also supports provisions for a new program designed to address the growing need to recruit and prepare minorities for the teaching profession, and reauthorization of the Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers To Use Technology program. 

The AFT generally supports H.R. 2211, says Gabriella Gomez, higher education legislation associate.  Unfortunately, some provisions that would have improved teacher preparation ended up on the cutting room floor. 

"We are pleased that the committee clarified language on alternative certification and created opportunities for states to work on developing and improving their certification and licensure process for preschool teachers," says Gomez.  "However, we would have liked to have seen more clarification on new provisions added to the Partnership Grants [partnerships between educational and non-educational institutions], as well as a greater emphasis on pedagogy and teacher induction programs."  

Actual changes to the original text of H.R. 2211 were minimal.  Only two amendments were added: the Van Hollen-Woolsey Amendment, which provides for strengthening state grants to preschool and early learning programs, and the Holt Amendment which includes provisions to facilitate alternative entry into the teaching profession from either higher education programs, fields of business or other professions.  Both amendments, which the AFT supported, were passed.

The markup of  H.R. 438, the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act, was like an intense tennis match. Democrats and Republicans volleyed for nearly two hours on amendments that would have extended loan forgiveness to teachers who go to work in high-poverty areas and/or in Head Start programs.

Democrats condemned Republicans for not seizing the moment to do what was "morally" right--that is, fund all aspects of education, not just some. Republicans replied that there were just not enough funds.

"We’re not elected to play Santa Claus, and this is not Christmas," scolded chairman John Boehner (R-Ohio), who earlier had offered his wallet to any teacher who asked.  Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) said that to him the tax cuts "sure look[ed] like Christmas."  

The two amendments to H.R. 438 that were proposed by House Democrats were defeated by a 21-24 vote.

During the roll call vote, many Republican committee members, who had not been seen during the markup, appeared just long enough to cast their votes along party lines.

Because the AFT had backed both amendments, "it was discouraging to see such a partisan effort to defeat them," Gomez noted.  "We will continue to work with members of the House to promote our issues on both these bills as they move to the House floor."

Both bills are part of the process of reauthorizing the Higher Education Act (HEA), which the House began last December. At that time, the AFT sent a letter to every member of Congress.  Drawing from the AFT publication, Building a Profession: Strengthening Teacher Preparation and Induction, the letter outlined the union’s concerns and priorities relating to the reauthorization, largely focusing on teacher education.

As the reauthorization process moves forward, the AFT will continue to promote the agenda for improved teacher preparation and recruitment programs in Congress.  [Heather Raiti]

[July 16, 2003]