[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 134 (Thursday, September 18, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ROCKEFELLER:
  S. 2880. 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 for Professional 
Teaching Standards, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Finance.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, today, I rise to reintroduce the 
Incentives to Educate American Children, or I TEACH, Act of 2014. With 
teacher retention rates on a steady decline nationwide, it is my hope 
that this legislation will encourage our best and brightest teachers to 
remain in the classroom.
  In the past two decades, the number of years of experience for the 
average teacher has decreased from 15 years to 5 years. Almost half of 
our education workforce today has less than ten years of experience. 
This is partly because teachers continue to be paid less than those 
employed in other fields, earning approximately 79 percent of the 
average wage of other workers with a bachelor's degree. In addition, 
their salaries have remained static since 2009, with the average 
starting salary for a new teacher estimated at just $36,141. At the 
same time, college debt levels continue to increase. The average 
student graduating in 2014 had $33,000 worth of student debt, making it 
difficult for young, eager graduates to pursue a career in teaching 
while paying down student loans and other living expenses.
  No dedicated young person should have to decide that they simply 
cannot ``afford'' to be a teacher, but this happens. If passed, the I 
TEACH Act would invest in our most critical educators by providing a 
$1,000 refundable tax credit to teachers serving in rural or high 
poverty schools. It would also provide every teacher, regardless of 
school or district, the chance to earn a $1,000 refundable tax credit 
if they receive accreditation from the National Board for Professional 
Teaching Standards. This means that a National Board Teacher in a rural 
or high poverty school would be eligible to receive $2,000 in 
refundable tax credits.
  In doing so, the I TEACH Act will provide meaningful incentives to 
teachers willing to serve in rural or high poverty schools, as well as 
rewarding quality teachers for staying in the classroom and continuing 
their professional development by earning National Board certification. 
Today, the majority of States see the value in this effort, providing 
some type of financial incentive to National Board certified teachers, 
and this refundable tax credit will work in tandem with those efforts. 
My home State of West Virginia, for example, offers a $3,500 bonus for 
National Board teachers. If I TEACH is enacted, a National Board 
teacher in my State would receive a nearly 12 percent bonus. That is a 
clear sign of appreciation for their hard work and a meaningful 
incentive to continue teaching.
  Our teachers are among the most important members of our society. 
They inspire and educate our children, preparing the next generation 
for success. They deserve our respect and full support, and that is why 
I urge my colleagues to work with me to enact I TEACH and invest in our 
children's education.
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