Gallego’s Teacher Diversity Bill Included in Dems’ Comprehensive College Affordability Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Committee on Education and Labor introduced the College Affordability Act, a comprehensive bill to lower the cost of college for students and families, improve the quality of higher education, and expand opportunity for students. The bill contains language introduced by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) to help combat the nationwide teacher shortage by increasing recruitment of diverse teachers and improving teacher training and retention programs.
Rep. Gallego, along with Reps. Gil Cisneros (D-CA), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) first introduced the Teacher Diversity and Retention Act as a standalone bill in September.
Their plan, included in the new College Affordability Act under Title II, will authorize two grant programs to strengthen the recruitment pipeline and teacher training programs. The first would enable Minority Serving Institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions, to apply for funds to establish or revamp programs to recruit and retain diverse teachers. The second would help expand teacher training programs that enable dual certification or include socio-emotional learning, special education, and behavioral management training.
Read more about the College Affordability Act here.
"Recruiting more diverse teachers is a key part of addressing the teacher shortage crisis across the nation," said Rep. Gallego. "We need teachers that reflect the communities they serve and have the tools they need for success in the classroom and beyond. I'm proud that the Committee on Education and Labor has included our bill to address this issue in their much-needed comprehensive overhaul of the higher education system."
"Our nation's education system is better served when the diversity of our teachers reflects the diversity of our communities," said Rep. Cisneros. "Several studies have shown that students of color perform better overall when they are exposed to teachers of similar cultures and backgrounds. I'm proud that the House Committee on Education and Labor has included our bill in the College Affordability Act as we strive to further push for diversity initiatives at our higher education institutions."
"As a teacher, I know how important it is that our students see themselves reflected in their educational experience," said Rep. Hayes. "While more than half of America's school children are from minority groups, less than 20 percent of teachers are from the same. This bill would provide significant grants to correct that imbalance and diversify our nation's teacher workforce. I thank the Committee on Education and Labor for including our bill as part of the effort to reauthorize and improve our nation's higher education system."
"I taught Chemistry for Teach for America to a diverse group of high school students in Philadelphia," said Rep. Houlahan. "It was an incredible experience, but I was dismayed to see so little diversity amongst my teaching colleagues. It's critical for students to be able to look up to their teachers and see themselves and their likeness reflected. Having more teachers of color betters our schools, our students, and our communities. That's why I'm helping lead the charge with this critical and prescient legislation. We need our school leaders to reflect the richly diverse country we are all lucky to call home. I thank the Committee on Education and Labor for including our legislation and its commitment to a more diverse education community."