Representative Van Hollen Introduces Teach for America Act

Press Release

Representative Van Hollen Introduces Teach for America Act

Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today introduced the Teach for America Act, legislation to increase the number of outstanding recent college graduates serving as teachers in our nation's underserved schools. He was joined by a bipartisan group of cosponsors - Representatives Mike Castle (R-DE), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Ralph Regula (R-OH), and John P. Sarbanes (D-MD).

Teach for America is a national corps of college graduates of all academic majors who commit two years to teach in public schools. Since its creation in 1990, more than 12,000 exceptional individuals have joined Teach for American and directly impacted the lives of over 2 million students across the country. The Teach for America Act would make Teach for America a federally-authorized program and expand its recruitment, selection, training, and support of new teachers.

"It is vital for our Nation to encourage more and more young people graduating from college to go into the teaching profession, and especially to teach in those communities where they are most needed. Teach for America is a great example of this idea in action, and has proven its success in the lives of millions of students," said Congressman Van Hollen. "Federal support will help it expand its reach, recruit more qualified and enthusiastic young teachers, and serve more children in under-resourced schools across the country."

"Teach for America is an extremely important program for improving education in this country by bringing the best and brightest throughout the United States into the classroom. We know that a highly qualified teacher is imperative to the achievement of our students and by bringing these recent college graduates to underserved urban and rural areas, we are finding new ways to build a greater network of talented and experienced future leaders in public education and the education forum," Congressman Castle said.

"We are extremely pleased that Representatives Van Hollen, Castle, DeLauro, Regula and Sarbanes are re-introducing the Teach For America authorization bill," said Wendy Kopp, president and founder of Teach For America. "This bill is an integral piece of Teach For America's five-year expansion plan, and will enable 7,500 of our corps members to reach nearly 650,000 students every day in 32 urban and rural communities by 2010. Beyond the immediate impact these corps members have, they will go on to become lifelong leaders for expanding educational opportunity, working from within education and from other sectors."

"Every child in this country should have the educational opportunities they deserve and Teach for America is one of the tools we have to meet that goal. This is an outstanding program aimed at eliminating the disparities in our educational system, the challenges low income students face, and the promises these students have to offer. Teach for America is about bringing out the best in our students and bringing out the best in America," said Congresswoman DeLauro.

"We must find and support the best teachers in order to improve our schools," said Congressman Regula, "I continue to be a strong champion of Teach for America because it is an effective model for recruiting and training the brightest college graduates who teach in high-need schools. Students taught by these dynamic teachers have made dramatic gains in academic proficiency."

"Teach for America offers hope to underserved rural and urban school communities. It gives young people with passion and enthusiasm for teaching a unique opportunity to work in schools that need their energy," said Congressman John P. Sarbanes. "This legislation is a critical step in our efforts to improve our public school system."

Teach for America is one of the top 50 employers of recent college graduates. Alumni of the program often remain engaged in education issues, with 63% choosing to become teachers, principals, school founders, or education policy advisors. Others pursue work in fields such as law, medicine, and social work, where they continue to increase opportunities for children living in low-income communities.

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