More Resources Committee on Education and the Workforce Press Release

U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today issued the following statement on House passage of H.R. 2211, the Ready to Teach Act, and H.R. 438, the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act.

"President Bush and I believe that every child in America can learn, every child in America will learn and no child will be left behind. Every child deserves a highly qualified teacher in the classroom, and we can ensure this happens by improving teacher education programs and increasing the number of highly qualified teachers through alternative certification methods.

"Research shows a strong link between a teacher's content knowledge and student achievement, and a critical component of No Child Left Behind is to strengthen teacher preparation programs. Teaching graduates must be highly qualified with the skills and knowledge needed to ensure student success in today's challenging classrooms.

"It is especially vital that these highly qualified teachers are in the schools that need them most. And we know that schools in low-income areas are struggling to fill classrooms with highly qualified teachers in math, science and special education. We strongly support loan forgiveness provisions that provide a strong financial incentive of up to $17,500 to these graduates if they agree to teach in high-need schools.

"I applaud Chairman Boehner, Ranking Member Miller, 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee Chairman McKeon, Ranking Member Kildee and Representatives Gingrey and Wilson for their leadership on these important education issues, and thank the House for its bipartisan passage of this legislation. The administration looks forward to working with Congress to continue to perfect these bills as they move through the Senate."

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