The Teacher, Principal, and Leader Residency Access Act will allow prospective teachers and principals to make use of Federal Work-Study programs

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), along with Representatives Jason Crow (CO-6), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-5), and Jahana Hayes (CT-5), introduced their bipartisan bill to allow Federal Work-Study funds to pay for costs associated with participating in teacher and principal residency programs, which have proven effective to improve teacher demand, quality, and retention. The Teacher, Principal, and Leader Residency Access Act would add teacher and principal residencies to the Federal Work-Study program ensuring no added cost to the taxpayer. 

Across the country, schools face a severe teacher shortage and high turnover due to inadequate preparation of teachers, with over 310,000 positions underfilled or vacant in 2023, particularly in under-resourced schools with a high-minority population.

Modeled after Colorado's successful PEBC Teacher Residency program, one of the oldest and highly respected residency programs in the nation, this legislation implements a key reform to spur high-quality careers in education while prioritizing low-income students in need of qualified teachers in subjects from mathematics to English as a second language.  

“The success of our next generation hinges upon the guidance and knowledge imparted by our teachers and educational leaders. As we confront a growing teacher shortage, the need for high-quality, skilled, and experienced educators has never been more critical,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “This bipartisan legislation will invest in our education system, provide aspiring educators enriching opportunities for crucial hands-on experience, and build a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to guide our next generation of leaders here in PA-1 and nationwide.”

“As a Dad, I know how important good teachers are to our kids' education – yet communities across the US are facing a severe teacher shortage,” said Congressman Crow. “Grateful to reintroduce my bipartisan Teacher, Principal, and Leader Residency Access Act with Representatives Chavez-DeRemer, Fitzpatrick, and Hayes to bring in and keep good teachers in the classroom.”

“Oregon students are falling behind, and one way to address this problem is to encourage hardworking college students to pursue degrees in education,” said Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer. “The Teacher, Principal, and Leader Residency Access Act is a commonsense, bipartisan proposal that would support aspiring teachers and ensure they are financially supported while receiving critical on-the-job experience. I’m honored to co-lead this bill and will keep working to improve education in Oregon.”

“Teacher residency programs are a proven way to equip new educators with the skills and classroom experience necessary to serve students. By allowing Federal Work-Study funds to help cover the cost of residency programs, the Teacher, Principal and Leader Residency Access Act enables struggling school districts nationwide to expand the educator pipeline and keep teachers in the classroom. This bipartisan legislation aims to address the ongoing teacher shortage by investing in educators, which will better position students for long-term success,” said Congresswoman Hayes.

This legislation is endorsed by the Public Education & Business Coalition (PEBC) Board, National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Center for Teacher Residencies, the Colorado Education Association, AASA, The School Superintendents Association, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and the National Rural Education Advocacy Consortium. 

"As Colorado's largest teacher residency program, we understand that high-quality preparation for educators, particularly through hands-on clinical residency experiences, is transformative, for both teacher candidates and their long-term commitment to the profession," said Sue Sava, President and CEO of PEBC. “However, leaving the workforce to train isn’t financially possible for many people who would otherwise be exceptional teachers. The Teacher and Leader Residency Access Act will reduce those barriers to access by enabling people training to become teachers to financially support themselves while they pursue their dreams of joining the educator workforce.”

"In the face of an unprecedented educator shortage that negatively impacts far too many students, residency programs are an important tool to provide all students with qualified, committed, and caring educators who feel supported in their work,” said Marc Egan, NEA Director of Government Relations. “These programs are especially useful in recruiting and retaining educators in rural communities, in schools that lack resources, and in subject areas such as special education, bilingual education, and science and mathematics. We also know that well prepared school leaders help teachers, staff, and students thrive. Educators proudly support the bipartisan Teacher, Principal, and Leader Residency Access Act, and encourage Congress to pass it quickly so that all students have the support they need to succeed."

“The Teacher, Principal, and Leader Residency Access Act represents a significant and much-needed step toward addressing the critical teacher shortage our nation faces, while simultaneously ensuring that new educators are well-prepared and supported as they enter the profession,” said Kathlene Campbell, Ph.D, CEO of the National Center for Teacher Residencies. “Teacher residencies offer a unique and highly effective model of educator preparation. By integrating federal work-study funds into this model, we can make these programs more accessible to aspiring teachers from diverse backgrounds, thereby enriching the educational landscape with a variety of perspectives and experiences. This approach not only enhances the quality of education students receive but also promotes more opportunities for individuals to join the education profession. Moreover, investing in teacher residencies through federal work-study dollars is a prudent use of resources that will yield long-term benefits.” 

Congressman Fitzpatrick continues working to deliver the resources teachers and families need to prepare for success in our education system, including improving support for struggling students, expanding access to skill-based educational opportunities, and investing in critical education research to ensure students in PA-1 and across the country have the resources to thrive and reach their full potential.

Read the full text of the legislation here.

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