House, Senate Leaders Introduce Bill to Incentivize and Aid Teachers Through Improved Loan Assistance

Press Release

Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, along with Senator Mark Warner, D-Va., Representative Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., Representative Susan Brooks, R-Ind., Representative Richard Hanna, R-N.Y., and Representative Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., introduced the Teacher Loan Repayment Act (TELORA) to improve federal loan assistance programs and provide teachers with clear and tangible incentives to enter and remain in the classroom.

"Our top priority in improving education outcomes in the United States should be refining the incentives that both attract bright and talented teachers to the classroom, and help them to stay there," Senator Hatch said. "We need more teachers in our low-income schools. Making these programs more efficient is a common-sense investment in our future that will pay off for generations."

"One of the best tools we have at our disposal to attract and retain talented teachers in our most challenging schools is through federally-sponsored grant and loan assistance programs," said Senator Warner. "Providing upfront monthly student loan payments to teachers in Title I schools is a simple, straightforward way to ensure that our most talented teachers enter and remain in the classrooms where they are most needed."

"Educating the next generation is very important work, yet teachers are often underpaid and under-resourced," Rep. Bonamici said. "Current programs to attract and retain teachers to serve in high-needs schools can be burdensome and ineffective. The Teacher Loan Repayment Act delivers a meaningful benefit to America's hardworking educators, and, in doing so, takes an important step to elevate the teaching profession."

"As the daughter of a public school teacher and coach, and administrator, I understand the importance of rewarding hardworking teachers for their dedication to changing lives in the classroom," Rep. Brooks said. "I want to see talented, new teachers connect with and stay in high-need schools across our nation. I believe this legislation will help attract teachers to challenging schools, and ultimately transform the lives of students."

"Evidence over the past several years makes it clear that existing student loan repayment programs have failed to encourage a high number of teachers to work in low-income classrooms," Rep. Hanna said. "As a result, Title-I schools have continued to face difficulties in recruiting and retaining skilled teachers. By consolidating the failed crop of existing loan repayment programs into one streamlined, accessible program with clearer incentives and fewer bureaucratic hurdles, educators will have greater access to federal support and low-income schools will be able to effectively recruit and retain quality teachers. While we will all benefit from having tax dollars spent on a more efficient program, with additional teachers in the classrooms of lower-income school districts, students will be the ultimate winners."

"My folks were both public school teachers and they taught me to value the doors that a good education can open," said Rep. Kilmer. "Currently, programs designed to attract our best teachers to schools most in need are not getting the job done. To encourage talented teachers to make their mark helping students learn we need to make sure they are not left with crippling loan payments and substantial debt. Our bipartisan, bicameral bill creates a more effective program that gives teachers the right support so they can make a difference in the lives of kids everywhere."