Booker, García, Hayes Reintroduce Legislation to Create a Well-Prepared and Diverse Educator Workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Representatives Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) reintroduced the Diversifying by Investing in Educators and Students to Improve Outcomes For Youth (DIVERSIFY) Act , legislation that would increase the TEACH Grant award to support middle- and low-income students interested in becoming teachers, ensuring an education workforce as diverse as the students it serves. The DIVERSIFY Act would ensure the grant amount more closely matches rising college costs and student loan debt which are major deterrents to students of color pursuing careers in education. The $4,000 a year award has not increased since it was created nearly 20 years ago. Not only has it failed to keep up with the rising cost of college, but since 2013 it has also been cut annually. Meanwhile, since 2007, college costs have continued to climb and the total student loan debt owed has increased by more than $1.2 trillion. The failure to protect and increase the award amount limits the program’s potential. The DIVERSIFY Act would combat these reductions to support all students, but especially students of color who perform exponentially higher in test scores, increase high school graduation rates, and better likelihood of college success with teachers of color. “Research shows that a diverse educator workforce can improve student achievement and close opportunity gaps,” said Senator Booker. “Yet, the high cost of teacher preparation remains a barrier to developing and sustaining a workforce that adequately represents the diversity of our nation’s students. By doubling the TEACH Grant and ending harmful annual cuts to the program, this legislation will provide greater support to current and future educators while helping strengthen and diversify our teacher workforce. Every student deserves access to great teachers, including educators who reflect the backgrounds and experiences of the communities they serve.” “Students deserve to see their own diversity reflected in those who teach them. In Chicago, less than 50% of teachers come from diverse backgrounds while Latino and Black students make up nearly 90% of the student population. As the cost of higher education and student loan debt continue to place a growing financial burden on students, we must do more to make a career in education accessible and affordable,” said Congressman García. “ Increasing the TEACH Grant will help remove financial barriers for aspiring educators, expand opportunities for students, and ensure this critical program keeps pace with the rising cost of earning a degree.” “Every student should have the opportunity to learn from educators who understand their experiences, reflect their communities, and help them to break down negative stereotypes and biases. A diverse teacher workforce can strengthen student outcomes, improve school engagement, lower absentee and discipline rates and decrease incidents of misdiagnosis for special education,” said Congresswoman Hayes . “The DIVERSIFY Act will help encourage more individuals with multiple viewpoints and life experiences to enter the teaching profession and bring their talent back to the communities they call home. I am pleased to partner with Senator Booker and Representative García on this important legislation.” The DIVERSIFY Act will help create a well-prepared and diverse educator workforce by: Aligning the TEACH Grant’s maximum award with the cost of college today—which exceeds $31,000 a year at four-year colleges and universities—by increasing it to $8,000 per year. Ending annual cuts to the TEACH Grant award, which this year alone resulted in a decrease to the maximum award of over $225. Without Congressional action, these cuts will continue through 2029. Eliminating the harsh loan conversion penalty, which can serve as a deterrent to entering the program, and therefore teaching. Ensuring that the TEACH Grant program effectively covers the full cost of comprehensive preparation and reduces debt burdens by amending the program to cover the full cost of attendance, rather than just tuition, fees, and institutionally owned housing. Requiring the Secretary of Education to send TEACH Grant recipients who have completed their service an electronic certification noting this accomplishment. Supporting early educators by ensuring that they are eligible for TEACH Grants by including service in a high-need early education program, in addition to serving in a high-need school, as an eligible service area and adding early childhood education as a codified shortage subject. Ensuring that only educator preparation programs at public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education are eligible to participate in the TEACH Grant program. The DIVERSIFY Act is supported by the following organizations: AASA, The School Superintendents Association, AFT: Education, Healthcare, Public Services, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, Association for Career and Technical Education, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council Chicago, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Chicago Teachers Union, Chiefs for Change, Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE), Deans for Impact (DFI), Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children, Education Trust (EdTrust), Educators for Excellence, First Focus Campaign for Children, FullScale, Higher Education Consortium for Special Education (HECSE), Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), Illinois Federation of Teachers, Institute for Educational Leadership, Latino Policy Forum, National Art Education Association, National Association for Music Education, National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE), National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR), National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), National Council on Teacher Quality, National Education Association (NEA), National Principals Association (formerly NASSP), National Science Teaching Association, New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK), Public Advocates, Southern Education Foundation (SEF), Teach Plus, Teach.org, Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children (TED), The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), The Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL), The Rural School and Community Trust, and UnidosUS.