[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 71 (Thursday, April 27, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Casey, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Van Hollen, 
        Mr. Wyden, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Merkley, and Mr. Heinrich):
  S. 1341. A bill to reauthorize title II of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. REED. Madam President, it is time for a national investment in 
building a strong and resilient educator pipeline to ensure that all 
schools have the diverse, profession-ready teachers, principals, 
librarians, counselors, and other specialized instructional support 
personnel they need to support student development and academic 
achievement. Today, along with Senators Casey, Lujan, Van Hollen, 
Wyden, Stabenow, Merkley, and Heinrich, I am reintroducing the 
EDUCATORS for America Act to provide the blueprint for building this 
pipeline. I am pleased that Representative Alma Adams is introducing a 
companion bill in the other body.
  For years, we have seen declines in enrollment in educator 
preparation programs. Now in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools 
are facing pervasive staffing shortages. An Education Week survey found 
that 40 percent of school district leaders and principals describe the 
shortages as ``severe'' or ``very severe.'' The National Association of 
Secondary School Principals reported that nearly 4 out of 10 principals 
expect to leave the profession in the next 3 years. We cannot afford to 
neglect the educator pipeline any longer.
  As we work to replenish the ranks of our educators, we also have the 
opportunity to advance diversity in the profession. Multiple studies 
have shown that racial diversity can provide significant benefits to 
students. However, the gap between the demographic makeup of the 
student body and the education profession has been widening. Even 
though over 50 percent of students are people of color, a 2022 
Department of Education report showed that 80 percent of public-school 
teachers identified as White, a figure that has barely changed since 
2000.
  The EDUCATORS for America Act calls for a $1 billion annual 
investment in the educator pipeline, divided evenly between State 
capacity building and direct support for educator preparation programs 
and partnerships with high-need school districts. It addresses the full 
scope of educator workforce development, including early outreach and 
career exploration, financial assistance, and wraparound supports for 
those pursuing education careers. It supports clinical preparation for 
teachers, principals, and other educators, as well as fostering faculty 
development, all with a focus on ensuring equity and diversity.
  The EDUCATORS for America Act will also reduce financiq] barriers to 
pursuing careers in education. The legislation will double the value of 
the TEACH-- Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher 
Education-- grant to $8,000 per year and provide greater flexibility 
for meeting service requirements. It forgives loans for teachers, 
principals, and early childhood educators in high need schools after 5 
years of service, and it establishes a new monthly credit for all other 
educators that will allow them to earn loan forgiveness as they serve 
instead of being forced to wait a decade before receiving any benefit.
  The EDUCATORS for America Act reflects input from stakeholders across 
the field about what is needed to recruit, prepare, and support 
educators. To date, more than 50 organizations have endorsed it.
  The Nation's outlook for the future is tied to the strength of the 
education profession. Our economic prosperity, the health of our 
democracy and civic society, and our ability to meet the challenges of 
climate change and the information age depend on our students having 
access to well-prepared and supported educators who reflect the 
diversity of the students they serve.
  Today, the profession is in crisis. It is time to act. I urge my 
colleagues to cosponsor the EDUCATORS for America Act and work with me 
to see that it is enacted into law.
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