From: The Honorable Steve Cohen
Sent By: craig.dulniak@mail.house.gov
Date: 7/30/2014

Reduce Teacher Shortages

Support the Maximizing Opportunities and Retaining Experienced (MORE) Teachers Act

Current co-sponsors: Ellison, Kirkpatrick

Supported by the National Education Association

Dear Colleague:

Teachers are struggling to remain in the middle class.

While average student loan debt has increased over the last decade and school district budgets have been stretched thin, inflation has outpaced teacher salaries. Meanwhile, states are reporting more and more subject areas with teacher shortages. Further, a recent report from the Center for American Progress shows that teacher salary growth lags behind salary growth in other industries and that some mid-career teachers may qualify for half a dozen or more low-income benefit programs.

We need to do what we can to retain qualified and experienced teachers.

That’s why I will be introducing the Maximizing Opportunities and Retaining Experienced (MORE) Teachers Act, which would provide $17,500 of loan forgiveness for teachers who teach in geographic areas with teacher shortages or who teach a subject in a state that Department of Education recognizes has a shortage of teachers in that subject.

Current loan forgiveness programs under Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act of 2004 (a bill sponsored by then-Chairman Boehner) provide $5,000 of loan forgiveness for FFEL and Federal Direct Loans for most teachers after five years of teaching. STEM teachers and special education teachers can receive up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness after five years. The MORE Teachers Act will make teachers who are teaching in shortage areas eligible for loan forgiveness of up to $17,500.

I hope you will join me in cosponsoring this important legislation to help teachers who are committed to educating and inspiring the next generation.  For more information or to cosponsor the bill, please contact Craig Dulniak atcraig.dulniak@mail.house.gov or 225-3265.  Deadline for original co-sponsors is 5pm today.

Sincerely,

/s/

Steve Cohen

Member of Congress