09/22/2015
U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna visited SUNY Cortland Sept. 21 to announce a federal initiative to attract and retain the best teachers in classrooms where they’re needed the most.
The Teacher Loan Repayment Act of 2015 — or H.R. 3359 — would eliminate the current patchwork of underutilized loan assistance programs for teachers and replace them with a streamlined federal program that provides all eligible teachers with simplified access to more significant student loan relief.
Hanna was judicious in choosing to announce the bill at SUNY Cortland, which rates at the top in secondary teacher preparation. One of the largest nationally accredited teacher education institutions on the East Coast, the College has teacher certification in nearly every subject area and prepares its teaching students through extensive hands-on experience in a variety of classrooms.
“Our teachers are responsible for educating America’s children and therefore our next generation,” Rep. Hanna said to the approximately 50 college officials, faculty and staff members, and students and members of the public who attended.
“It is an admirable profession, and we should encourage our teachers to work in some of our most challenging classrooms — where their efforts are needed the most,” Hanna said.
The bill targets only teachers who choose to work in Title-I schools — schools enrolling at least 40 percent of children from low-income families. Participating educators would be eligible to receive loan forgiveness under this bill, providing them with an extra incentive to work in high-need schools.
Payments would increase each year, starting at $250 per month. This would serve to reward teachers who choose to stay in the classroom long-term. The total repayment figure one teacher can put toward his or her debt is capped at $23,400.
“My bill takes existing loan repayment programs, which are not working, and puts them into one viable, useful program,” Hanna said. “Our teachers will receive a financial benefit to help pay their educational loans and our students will receive a sound education that will pay dividends for a lifetime.”
“This initiative will help encourage bright, energetic young people to pursue teaching careers,” SUNY Cortland President. Erik J. Bitterbaum said. “It offers incentives to keep them going when things get tough, and rewards those who put their skills to work in high-need areas.
“Our college has been educating teachers for nearly a century and a half, and we understand the critical importance of this profession. Teachers mold the minds that determine our future.”
The bill has been introduced and referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.