[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 41 (Tuesday, April 4, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               COLLEGE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 2005

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                               speech of

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2006

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 609) to 
     amend and extend the Higher Education Act of 1965:

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to 
address the need for high quality teachers in our Nation's schools. In 
many of our urban and rural school districts there continues to be a 
shortage of teachers who have a solid background in the subjects of 
math, science and foreign language. This shortage is resulting in sub-
standard education for these students where in many cases college 
preparatory courses are not available in upper level math, calculus, 
physics, chemistry and biology. As a result many of these students will 
not complete high school or pursue a college education. Even if 
students go onto higher education, they face numerous obstacles 
completing their college coursework as they have not had the same 
college preparatory background as their counterparts. Providing high 
quality teachers in these critical subject areas is key in ending the 
achievement gap that exists throughout this country.
  I fully support the ideas behind the Amendment offered by Ms. 
McMorris, Mr. Holt, and Mr. Dreier. For low-income urban and rural 
schools an Adjunct Teacher Corp. could offer a lifeline for these 
students. It is extremely unfortunate that there were not provisions 
within the amendment that would expand training requirements for these 
faculty members. We must ensure that our students not only have 
teachers with a strong background in their subject area, but also have 
the proper training to convey that knowledge to their students. While I 
agree, that it is imperative to get these teachers into the classroom 
as soon as possible, there needs to be specific training requirements 
and adequate monitoring of faculty. In addition, I continue to have 
serious reservations regarding the undercutting of collective 
bargaining laws within this amendment. Without clarification on these 
provisions, I unfortunately could not support this amendment.
  I do however, applaud my colleagues for their efforts on this 
important issue, and would like to work with them in the future on 
efforts to provide high quality teachers in every classroom.

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