U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings made the following statement regarding the Teacher Incentive Fund Act, proposed today by Congressional leaders:

Nothing helps a child learn as much as a great teacher. In my travels, I've seen first hand the tremendous work teachers are doing to provide a quality education to all. Their efforts are helping further close the achievement gap and enabling every child to reach their potential. That's why I want to commend Representatives Price and McKeon for their leadership and support for our nation's teachers.

The Teacher Incentive Fund Act will help recognize our most effective teachers and reward them for their success in raising student achievement. This legislation builds on the President's Teacher Incentive Fund initiative that provides nearly $100 million to encourage our best, most experienced teachers to serve in our neediest classrooms. Already, my department has awarded $42 million to 16 school districts, states, and partnerships and this spring we'll be awarding $43 million more to further support the program.

Great teachers are the key to equipping every child to compete and thrive in the 21st century, and we must continue to provide them with the tools needed to help students succeed.

###

Top

Back to March 2007