(OVERLAND PARK, KAN.) – Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District—KS) reintroduced his bill to help the nation’s schools address one of their most pressing needs -- teacher shortages.

“Local school districts all over the country are struggling to find qualified teachers,” said Moore. “Urban, rural, and suburban districts are equally affected by this problem caused by demographic trends and a low teacher retention rate. The best way to address this issue is to provide young men and women a financial incentive to become teachers.”

The Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act provides up to $17,500 in federal loans for educators who meet the requirements. Those who teach in a low-income school, teach special education, or teach in a designated shortage area (as defined by the state departments of education) are eligible. Loan forgiveness will also be available to existing teachers who return to school to become certified in another field of teaching.

The No Child Left Behind Act, which was signed into law last year, requires all teachers to have an academic major or other high-level coursework in subjects that they teach in order to be classified as “highly qualified.” This bill will help existing teachers become certified in new academic fields or attain higher levels of education.

More than 2 million teachers will be needed in the coming years to meet enrollment increases and to offset the large number of retiring teachers. The children of the Baby Boomers combined with increased immigration in the 1990s, have increased school enrollments to all-time highs.

The U.S. is also on the cusp of a massive wave of retirements as teachers who were hired in the late 1960s and 1970s leave the profession. Quality teachers often pursue higher-paying, lower-stress jobs in the private sector. Twenty-two percent of all new teachers leave the profession in the first three years, while studies show they are more likely to make education their career if they stay for three years.

The nationwide shortage of teachers is particularly pronounced nationally in science, math, special education, and foreign languages.

“It is critical that we help our school districts,” Moore said. “This is happening all over the country, and it is time to recognize that recruiting and retaining good teachers is a national priority worthy of federal investment.”