[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 105 (Thursday, July 28, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S9297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ROCKEFELLER (for himself and Mr. DeWine):
  S. 1533. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide 
a tax incentive to individuals teaching in elementary and secondary 
schools located in rural or high unemployment areas and to individuals 
who achieve certification from the National Board of Professional 
Teaching Standards, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Finance.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, today, I rise, along with my 
cosponsor, Senator DeWine, to reintroduce legislation called I TEACH, 
Incentives to Educate America's Children Act of 2005. This legislation 
is an investment to support teachers in rural areas, and high poverty 
areas. It provides a $1,000 refundable tax credit for those teachers 
willing to serve in challenging schools. The bill also gives every 
teacher the chance to earn a refundable tax credit by offering a $1,000 
refundable tax credit for every teacher who earns accreditation by the 
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. A National Board 
Teacher in a rural school or high poverty school would receive a $2,000 
credit which hopefully would promote retention of our best teachers.
  According to the most recent survey by the American Federation of 
Teachers, the average teacher salary is $45,771. While teacher salaries 
rose an average of 3.3 percent, the health insurance benefits spiked an 
average 13 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The 
starting salary for a new teacher is estimated to be $30,496. Given the 
costs of college, the average student graduates with a debt of $19,400 
and face loan payments of $210 a month, it is difficult for young, 
eager graduates to pursue careers in teaching and pay off their student 
debt and other living expenses.
  It is sad when a dedicated young person decides that they simply 
cannot ``afford'' to be a teacher, but this happens. The I TEACH Act 
will help by providing meaningful tax credits to teachers willing to 
serve in rural areas or high poverty schools, and it will provide a 
strong financial incentive to keep quality teachers in the classrooms 
by rewarding teachers who earn National Board certification. Thirty 
States provide some type of financial incentive to National Board 
teachers, and this refundable tax credit will support such efforts. For 
example, West Virginia offers a $2,500 bonus for National Board 
teachers. If I TEACH is enacted, a National Board teacher in my State 
would receive a 9 percent bonus which is a meaningful incentive.
  Our teachers are essential professionals that inspire and educate our 
children, who represent the next generation. Our teachers deserve our 
respect and real support. I urge my colleagues to work with me to enact 
I TEACH and reward our teachers.
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