[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 40 (Thursday, March 8, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2900-S2904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
By Ms. LANDRIEU (for herself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Reid, Mr. Obama,
and Mrs. Clinton):
S. 808. A bill to provide grants to recruit new teachers, principals,
and other school leaders to, and retain and support current and
returning teachers, principals, and other school leaders employed in,
public elementary and public secondary schools, and to help higher
education, in areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita,
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, as my State and the rest of the Gulf
Coast work to get back on their feet and rebuild their lives and their
communities, we look to the future. We look forward to stronger levees,
a more responsive FEMA, a better medical system, and a better school
system. We look to our children--because they are the future--and we
are striving to build the best school system in the country. We are in
the middle of a remarkable period in Louisiana--and our schools are at
the center. Our schools are re-opening and developing in new and
innovative ways. There is a wonderful partnership with our institutions
of higher learning, who are throwing themselves into not only
rebuilding themselves but into standing up this new school system.
But key to this new school system are the people who make it work day
after day--our teachers, our principals, our aides--and it is vital
that we recruit, retain, and maintain all of the excellent individuals
who are dedicated to our children and the future.
That is why, today, I am so very proud to introduce the Landrieu-
Kennedy-Reid RENEWAAL Act of 2007.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita not only damaged or destroyed 840 schools
in Louisiana, but dozens more throughout the Gulf Coast. As the 176,000
displaced elementary and secondary school students and their families
begin to return, what was a need to rebuild these schools and bring in
new teachers has become an emergency. The RENEWAAL Act will help solve
a significant crisis in New Orleans--there are simply not enough
talented teachers in the city to educate the 29,000 children the system
must serve. In January, the New Orleans Recovery School District was
forced to ``wait-list'' 300 students, in large part because they simply
could not find or encourage enough teachers to come to the region to
teach them.
As the region continues to struggle and to grow, so will the need to
bring more teachers to the Gulf Coast. The Louisiana Recovery Authority
estimates that 12,000 teachers were displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
Public
[[Page S2901]]
schools in New Orleans will need an additional 750 teachers by fall
2007 to accommodate the daily surge in enrollment. Some of the
district's high schools have student-to-teacher ratios surpassing 36 to
1. Jefferson Parish currently has a shortage of about 60 teachers.
Parishes like St. Bernard and Cameron have managed to hold down
student-to-teacher ratios only because they've increased the local tax
burden on an already stretched population to the breaking point, even
though just a small portion of their schools have reopened. The future
of the Gulf Coast lies in the rebuilding of its middle class; the
future of the middle class in any community is in its schools.
The RENEWAAL Act provides up to $254 million over 5 years in salary
supplements, housing assistance and loan forgiveness for certified
elementary and secondary school teachers and leaders who commit to
serving the Hurricane Katrina and Rita affected areas for a minimum of
3 years. The Act provides annual salary bonuses starting at $7,000 per
year for teachers and leaders, increasing with experience, a proven
track record of success in an urban district or use the opportunity to
return to their home district to help. RENEWAAL also provides student
loan forgiveness of up to $7000 per year and housing assistance of up
to $750 per month.
These incentives are necessary to help offset the dramatic cost of
living increases that are a reality in the Gulf region right now. The
starting salary for a Recovery School District teacher is $35,400 per
year, slightly below the state's median income of $37,400. The average
rent in New Orleans parish has increased more than 40 percent in 1
year--so much so that, currently, a Recovery School District teacher in
New Orleans would spend 40-50 percent of his or her monthly pre-tax
income on rent. The average student loan debt of the 60 percent of
Louisiana students who graduate with student loan debt is over $17,000.
The combination of these financial burdens and the increased cost of
living make it impossible for some young people to put their
considerable time and energy into rebuilding the Gulf Coast, even if
they once called it home. The incentives provided in the RENEWAAL Act
would give them the support they need to serve.
The bill also recognizes the unique role and the unique challenges
Hurricane Katrina and Rita impacted colleges and universities have in
rebuilding our Gulf communities. Over 84,000 students were displaced in
Louisiana as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. RENEWAAL provides
$500 million of funds to attract additional students to and retain
faculty at Louisiana's institutions of higher education. Colleges and
universities suffering significant revenue gaps from decreased
enrollment and repair costs would receive the help they need continue
their missions. Our higher education system has long been the creative
and professional life blood of New Orleans and the region, as the
institutions directly impacted by the storms have trained hundreds of
thousands of young professionals and entrepreneurs who use their skills
to strengthen cities and towns along the Gulf Coast and nationwide.
I'd like to thank Congressman Charles Melancon and Congressman George
Miller and their staffs for their hard work with us on this bill,
culminating in its introduction as companion legislation in the House
of Representatives. This bill is the latest example of their tireless
dedication to supporting the children, families and students of the
Gulf Coast as we continue to work together to bring the people of
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas home.
I ask unanimous consent that the text of the legislation be printed
in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 808
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Revitalizing New Orleans by
Attracting America's Leaders Act of 2007'' or the ``RENEWAAL
Act of 2007''.
TITLE I--ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
SEC. 101. GRANTS TO STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES AFFECTED BY
HURRICANE KATRINA OR HURRICANE RITA; SUBGRANTS
TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b) and section
102(d), from amounts appropriated under section 105, the
Secretary of Education shall award grants to each of the
States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The Secretary
shall base allocations for States that submit an application
under subsection (b)(1) on the number of schools in each
State that were closed for 60 days or more during the period
beginning on August 29, 2005, and ending on December 31,
2005, due to Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita.
(b) Applications.--
(1) In general.--For a State to be eligible to receive a
grant under subsection (a), the State educational agency for
the State shall submit an application to the Secretary, at
such time as the Secretary may require, that contains such
information and assurances as the Secretary may require.
(2) Specific assurances.--The assurances under paragraph
(1) shall include an assurance that--
(A) subject to subsection (d), the State educational agency
will distribute the funds received under the grant as
subgrants to local educational agencies;
(B) the State educational agency, in consultation with
local education agencies, local teachers and their union, the
State's board of education, and the local organization
representing charter schools, will establish and implement a
plan to strengthen the recruitment, retention, professional
development, and success of teachers and school leaders in
schools that are served under the grant; and
(C) funds provided shall be used at schools that are--
(i) open to all eligible students, including students with
disabilities and English language learners; and
(ii) in compliance with all applicable Federal laws,
including civil rights laws, and State and local health and
safety laws.
(3) Oversight.--The Secretary shall, on a semi-annual
basis--
(A) review the State educational agencies receiving funds
under this title to determine whether each such agency is in
compliance with the assurances referred to in paragraph (2);
and
(B) submit to the Committee on Education and Labor of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on the
results of such review, the first of which reports shall be
made not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
(c) Subgrants to Local Educational Agencies.--
(1) In general.--Subject to subsection (d), from amounts
made available to a State educational agency under this
title, the agency shall make subgrants, on a competitive
basis, to local educational agencies in the State that serve
an area with respect to which a major disaster was declared
under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S. C. 5170) by reason of
Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita. Funds received under the
subgrant shall be used to carry out the authorized activities
described in sections 102 and 103.
(2) Application.--To be eligible to receive a subgrant
under this subsection, a local educational agency shall
submit an application to the State educational agency at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
State educational agency may reasonably require.
(3) Timing.--Subgrants under this subsection shall be made
not later than 60 days after the date on which the State
educational agency first receives funds from the Secretary
under this title.
(4) Determination of allocations.--In allocating funds
among local educational agencies under this subsection, State
educational agencies shall give priority to local educational
agencies with the following:
(A) The highest percentages of schools that are closed as a
result of Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita, as of the date
of the enactment of this Act.
(B) The highest percentages of schools with a student-
teacher ratio of at least 25 to 1.
(d) Management, Administration, and Evaluation.--
(1) In general.--A State educational agency that
distributes funds under this title may reserve up to one half
of one percent for management, administrative, and evaluation
purposes.
(2) Charter school costs included.--Amounts reserved under
paragraph (1) shall include all management, administrative,
and evaluation costs related to charter schools.
(3) Allocation to other local educational agencies.--Of the
amounts reserved by a State educational agency under
paragraph (1), any funds that remain after expenditure for
the costs described in paragraphs (1) and (2) may be
allocated by the State educational agency to other local
educational agencies adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina
or Hurricane Rita.
(e) Evaluation.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall review the implementation of section 102 and
shall provide the Committee on Education and Labor of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate with an analysis
of the effectiveness of the implementation of such section
not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
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SEC. 102. ANNUAL BONUSES FOR TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL
LEADERS.
(a) Annual Bonuses for Teachers.--A local educational
agency that receives a subgrant under section 101 shall use a
portion of the subgrant funds specified by the Secretary to
provide annual pensionable bonuses, in addition to base
salary and benefits, to teachers in each of 3 consecutive
full school years (beginning with the first full school year
that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act),
calculated as follows:
(1) $7,000 per year for all teachers employed by the local
educational agency during the school year in which this Act
is enacted, if the teacher commits to continue to work during
each of the 3 succeeding school years in a public elementary
or public secondary school served by the agency.
(2) $10,000 per year for all teachers described in
paragraph (1) who also have a demonstrated track record of
success in improving student academic achievement, based on
an evaluation from the multiple measures of success rating
system described in subsection (d), except that such teachers
may not receive a bonus under paragraph (1).
(3) $12,500 per year for all teachers described in
paragraph (1) who also have a demonstrated track record of
success in improving student academic achievement, based on
an evaluation from the multiple measures of success rating
system described in subsection (d), and who teach a subject
for which there is a documented teacher shortage, except that
such teachers may not receive a bonus under paragraph (1) or
(2).
(b) Annual Bonuses for School Leaders.--A local educational
agency that receives a subgrant under section 101 shall use a
portion of the subgrant funds specified by the Secretary to
provide annual bonuses to school leaders in each of 3
consecutive full school years (beginning with the first full
school year that begins after the date of the enactment of
this Act), calculated as follows:
(1) $7,000 per year for all school leaders employed by the
local educational agency during the school year in which this
Act is enacted, if the school leader commits to continue to
work during each of the 3 succeeding school years in a public
elementary or public secondary school served by the agency.
(2) $15,000 per year for all school leaders described in
paragraph (1) who also are designated by the local
educational agency as outstanding or have a demonstrated
track record of success in improving student academic
achievement on a school-wide basis in a low-performing school
(as determined through a performance-based system that
includes analysis of academic achievement gains), except that
such school leaders may not receive a bonus under paragraph
(1).
(c) Supplements for Personnel Returning From
Displacement.--In the case of a teacher or school leader who
was displaced from, or lost employment in, a geographic area
described in section 101(a) by reason of Hurricane Katrina or
Hurricane Rita, and who returns to such an area following
such displacement and is rehired, the bonus described in
subsection (a) or (b) shall be increased by $1,500 in each of
the 3 years.
(d) Multiple Measures of Success Rating System.--The
Secretary of Education may make a grant to a State under this
title only if the State educational agency, in its
application under section 101(b), agrees to use the following
process to develop a multiple measures of success rating
system:
(1) Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the State educational agency, in cooperation
with local educational agencies, the teachers unions, local
principals' organization, local parents' organizations, local
business organizations, and local charter schools
organizations, shall develop a plan for such a system.
(2) If the State educational agency has failed to reach an
agreement pursuant to paragraph (1) that is satisfactory to
all consulting entities by such deadline, the State
educational agency shall immediately notify the Congress of
such failure and the reasons for it and shall, not later than
30 days after such notification, establish and implement a
rating system that shall be--
(A) based on strong learning gains for students and growth
in student achievement;
(B) based on classroom observation and feedback at least 4
times annually;
(C) conducted by multiple sources, including principals and
master teachers; and
(D) evaluated against research-validated rubrics that use
planning, instructional, and learning environment standards
to measure teaching performance.
(e) Timing of Payment.--A local educational agency
providing an annual bonus to a teacher or school leader under
subsection (a) or (b) shall pay the bonus according to a
schedule that--
(1) is designed to attract such educators;
(2) commences payment of the first of such bonuses not
later than 60 days after the later of--
(A) the first day of the first full school year that begins
after the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(B) the date on which the local educational agency first
receives funds from the State educational agency under this
title; and
(3) only completes payment at the end of the period of
required service.
(f) Grant Period.--Funds allocated by the Secretary for use
under this section may be expended by a State educational
agency or local educational agency over a 3-year period.
SEC. 103. RELOCATION COSTS, HOUSING COSTS, EDUCATOR
RECRUITMENT COSTS, AND PROMOTION OF BEST
PRACTICES AND CAPACITY-BUILDING.
(a) Relocation Costs.--A local educational agency that
receives a subgrant under section 101 shall use a portion of
the subgrant funds specified by the Secretary to provide one-
time payments of up to $2,500 each to educators (including
teachers, school leaders, school guidance counselors, school
social workers, school nurses and other school-based health
personnel, and paraprofessionals) who commit to work in a
public elementary or public secondary school served by the
agency to assist such educators with costs associated with
relocation. In providing such payments, a local educational
agency shall give priority to teachers with a prior
connection to the State, either through previous employment
as a teacher in the State or graduation from a public or
private institution of higher education located in the State.
(b) Housing Costs.--A local educational agency that
receives a subgrant under section 101 shall use a portion of
the subgrant funds specified by the Secretary to provide up
to 36 monthly payments of--
(1) $700 each to educators (including teachers, school
leaders, school guidance counselors, school social workers,
school nurses and other school-based health personnel, and
paraprofessionals) who commit to work in a public elementary
or public secondary school served by the agency, and who
previously resided or worked in the geographical area served
by the agency, to assist such educators with housing costs;
and
(2) $500 each to all other educators (including teachers,
school leaders, school guidance counselors, school social
workers, school nurses and other school-based health
personnel, and paraprofessionals) who commit to work in a
public elementary or public secondary school served by the
agency, to assist such educators with housing costs.
(c) Educator Recruitment Costs.--A local educational agency
that receives a subgrant under section 101 shall use a
portion of the subgrant funds specified by the Secretary for
the purpose of establishing partnerships with non-profit
entities that have a demonstrated track record in recruiting
and retaining outstanding teachers and school leaders who
commit to teach or lead in schools where there is a
documented teacher shortage. These entities shall consult
with teachers and the local teachers' union in their work.
(d) Promoting Best Practices and Capacity-Building.--
(1) In general.--A local educational agency that receives a
subgrant under section 101 shall use a portion of the
subgrant funds specified by the Secretary for the purpose of
building the capacity and knowledge of principals and
teachers and providing teachers with paid release time to
collaborate with each other, to engage in classroom
observation, and to participate in professional development.
Such paid release time shall be used to facilitate the
identification and replication of best practices from the
highest-performing and fastest-improving schools, to bring in
outstanding educators to provide on-site professional
development and coaching, and to support the design,
adaptation, and implementation of high-quality formative
assessments aligned to the State's academic standards.
(2) Administrative costs.--A local educational agency
receiving a subgrant under section 101 may use up to 5
percent of the portion of the subgrant funds specified by the
Secretary under paragraph (1) for management and
administration related to carrying out activities under such
paragraph.
SEC. 104. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this title:
(1) The term ``documented teacher shortage''--
(A) means a shortage of teachers documented in the needs
assessment conducted under section 2122(c) of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6622(c)) by
the local educational agency involved or some other official
demonstration of shortage by the local educational agency;
and
(B) may include such a shortage in math, science, reading,
special education, a foreign language, high school core
subjects, instruction for limited English proficient
children, and other subjects, as designated by the local
educational agency.
(2) The term ``elementary school'' has the meaning given
such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(3) The term ``local educational agency'' has the meaning
given such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801) and shall
also include the Recovery School District in Louisiana and
New Orleans Public Schools.
(4) The term ``public school'' means any public school that
is operated or chartered by a State educational agency or
local educational agency.
(5) The term ``school leader'' means a school principal,
assistant principal, principal resident director, or
assistant director.
(6) The term ``secondary school'' has the meaning given
such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(7) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
Education.
(8) The term ``teacher'', when used with respect to an
individual teaching in a State, means that the individual has
obtained full State certification as a teacher or is
satisfactorily participating in an alternative
[[Page S2903]]
route to certification program that leads to certification
within 3 years, except that--
(A) an individual teaching in a public charter school is
included in this definition if the individual satisfies the
requirements set forth in the State's public charter school
law with respect to State certification; and
(B) a special education teacher is included in this
definition only if fully certified by the State.
SEC. 105. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this title $45,500,000 for fiscal year 2007,
$45,500,000 for fiscal year 2008, and $46,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011.
(b) Annual Bonuses for Teachers.--Of the total amounts
authorized under subsection (a), there are authorized to be
appropriated $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007
through 2011 to carry out section 102(a).
(c) Annual Bonuses for School Leaders.--Of the total
amounts authorized under subsection (a), the following
amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
section 102(b):
(1) $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 and 2008.
(2) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009, 2010, and
2011.
(d) Relocation Costs.--Of the total amounts authorized
under subsection (a), there are authorized to be appropriated
$2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 to
carry out section 103(a).
(e) Housing Costs.--Of the total amounts authorized under
subsection (a), there are authorized to be appropriated
$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 to
carry out section 103(b).
(f) Educator Recruitment Costs.--Of the total amounts
authorized under subsection (a), there are authorized to be
appropriated $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through
2011 to carry out section 103(c).
(g) Promoting Best Practices and Capacity-Building.--Of the
total amounts authorized under subsection (a), there are
authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2007 through 2011 to carry out section 103(d).
(h) Availability.--Any funds authorized to be appropriated
under this section are authorized to be available for fiscal
years 2007 through 2011.
SEC. 106. CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this title shall be construed to alter or
otherwise affect the rights, remedies, and procedures
afforded school or local educational agency employees under
Federal, State, or local laws (including applicable
regulations or court orders) or under the terms of collective
bargaining agreements, memoranda of understanding, or other
agreements between such employees and their employers.
TITLE II--HIGHER EDUCATION
SEC. 201. HIGHER EDUCATION RECOVERY AND SUSTAINABILITY
PROGRAM.
(a) Program Established.--Subject to the availability of
funds appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary
shall provide funds made available under this section, in
accordance with subsection (b), to postsecondary educational
institutions--
(1) that were closed on any of their physical campuses, or
that temporarily relocated their campus, as a result of the
impact of a Gulf hurricane disaster;
(2) the enrollments of which have not recovered to the
level of enrollments that existed before a Gulf hurricane
disaster; and
(3) that continue to sustain a loss of revenue as a result
of the impact of a Gulf hurricane disaster.
(b) Use of Funds.--The Secretary shall use funds made
available to carry out this section to compensate the
institutions described in subsection (a) for direct or
indirect losses incurred by such institutions resulting from
the impact of a Gulf hurricane disaster, and for the recovery
initiatives of such institutions. Such funds may be used
for--
(1) faculty salaries and incentives for retaining faculty;
(2) costs associated with the loss of lost tuition,
revenue, and enrollment;
(3) construction and maintenance needs;
(4) grants to students to attend institutions described in
subsection (a) for academic years beginning on or after July
1, 2006, with priority given to students demonstrating
financial need; and
(5) any recruitment activities related to increasing
enrollment to the level of enrollment that existed before a
Gulf hurricane disaster.
(c) Application for Assistance.--A postsecondary
educational institution that desires to receive assistance
under this section shall--
(1) submit a sworn financial statement and other
appropriate data, documentation, or other evidence requested
by the Secretary that indicates that the institution incurred
losses resulting from the impact of a Gulf hurricane
disaster, and the monetary amount of such losses;
(2) demonstrate that the institution attempted to minimize
the cost of any losses by pursuing collateral source
compensation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency,
the Small Business Administration, any other relevant
government agencies, and insurance prior to seeking
assistance under this section;
(3) demonstrate that the institution has not been able to
fully operate at the level of operation that existed before a
Gulf hurricane disaster; and
(4) provide an assurance that, with respect to any funds
provided under this section for construction, the institution
will only use such funds for construction that has been or
will be conducted in compliance with the wage requirements
under section 439 of the General Education Provisions Act (20
U.S.C. 1232b).
(d) Regulations Required.--Within a reasonable time after
the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall
issue regulations setting forth--
(1) procedures for an application for assistance under this
section; and
(2) minimum requirements for receiving assistance under
this section, including the following:
(A) Online forms to be used in submitting request for
assistance.
(B) Information to be included in such forms.
(C) Procedures to assist in filing and pursing assistance.
(e) Definition.--In this section, the term ``postsecondary
educational institution'' means--
(1) an institution of higher education, as such term is
defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1001); or
(2) a public or private teaching hospital wholly or partly
owned or operated by such an institution of higher education.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $500,000,000 for
the period beginning in fiscal year 2007 through fiscal year
2011.
SEC. 202. LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR CERTAIN TEACHERS.
(a) Program Authorized.--
(1) In general.--From the amounts appropriated under
subsection (e), the Secretary shall carry out a program of
providing loan forgiveness to qualifying teachers. To provide
such loan forgiveness, the Secretary is authorized to carry
out a program--
(A) through the holder of the loan, to assume the
obligation to repay a qualified loan amount for a loan made
under part B of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.); and
(B) to cancel a qualified loan amount (as so determined)
for a loan made under part D of such title (20 U.S.C. 1087a
et seq.).
(2) Treatment of consolidation loans.--A loan amount for a
loan made under section 428C of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078-3) or a Federal Direct Consolidation
Loan may be a qualified loan amount for the purposes of this
subsection only to the extent that such loan amount was used
to repay a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, a Federal Direct
Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, or a loan made under section 428
or 428H of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1078 or 1078-8, respectively),
as determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by
the Secretary.
(b) Qualifying Teachers.--For the purposes of this section,
a qualifying teacher is an individual who is not in default
on a loan for which the individual seeks forgiveness and--
(1) who--
(A) first commenced employment as a full-time teacher in a
public or private elementary or secondary school in an area
affected by a Gulf hurricane disaster after such disaster;
and
(B) is not described in paragraph (2);
(2) who graduated from a public or private institution of
higher education located in an area affected by a Gulf
hurricane disaster and first commenced employment as a full-
time teacher in a public or private elementary or secondary
school in such area after such disaster; or
(3) who returned to employment as a full-time teacher in a
public or private elementary or secondary school in an area
affected by a Gulf hurricane disaster such after such
disaster.
(c) Qualifying Amounts.--The Secretary shall forgive not
more than the following amount for a qualifying teacher:
(1) $5,000 per year for a qualifying teacher described in
paragraph (1) of subsection (b), for each year of service
described in such paragraph.
(2) $7,000 per year for a qualifying teacher described in
paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (b), for each year of
service described in such paragraph.
(d) Regulations.--The Secretary may prescribe such
regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section.
(e) Authorization.--There is authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2007 through 2011.
SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this title:
(1) Affected state.--The term ``affected State'' means the
State of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Texas.
(2) Area affected by a gulf hurricane disaster.--The term
``area affected by a Gulf hurricane disaster'' means a county
or parish, in an affected State, that has been designated by
the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster
assistance for individuals and households as a result of
Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita.
(3) Gulf hurricane disaster.--The term ``Gulf hurricane
disaster'' means a major disaster that the President declared
to exist, in accordance 6 with section 401 of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, and
that was caused by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
[[Page S2904]]
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