[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 77 (Friday, June 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN SUPPORT OF THE TEACHER TRAINING ENHANCEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 3, 2004

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern over 
the fact that we are taking the time to once again vote on legislation 
that is good, but not great. I would like to ask my colleagues why, if 
we are going to do the same job again, we are not taking the 
opportunity to do it better?
  I support the Teacher Training Enhancement Act, H.R. 4409, and I 
voted for this legislation the first time it was offered on the House 
floor as H.R. 438, the Teacher Training and Recruitment Act. By 
extending loan forgiveness for up to $17,500 for qualified math and 
science teachers in secondary schools and special education and reading 
teachers in elementary schools who work for five years in low-income 
areas, H.R. 4409 will help those schools attract qualified teachers. 
But, this legislation could be significantly improved by expanding loan 
forgiveness to all teachers in high poverty schools, head start 
teachers and teachers in extremely rural school districts.
  When we passed the No Child Left Behind Act, we made a promise to 
parents and children that there would be a qualified teacher in every 
classroom. In the 1999-2000 school year, over a fifth of secondary 
school students took at least one class from a teacher who neither 
majored nor minored in the subject they are teaching; over a third 
received instruction in at least one class from a teacher who was not 
certified in the subject taught and did not have a major in that 
subject. There is an extreme shortage of qualified teachers across all 
of the academic disciplines, especially in areas that are economically 
depressed. Unfortunately, this legislation only provides assistance to 
math, science and special education teachers. While there are shortages 
in these fields on a national basis and they need and deserve our 
support, our most disadvantaged school districts and communities need 
highly qualified teachers in all subjects and early education.
  We should be taking advantage of our second chances. As long as we 
are going to take the time to re-vote on legislation, I urge my 
colleagues to take the time to ensure that we are passing the best 
legislation possible. Our constituents deserve nothing less.

                          ____________________