U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Bill to Strengthen Teacher Workforce

Washington, DC - This week, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Addressing Teacher Shortages Act, bicameral legislation to help schools recruit, prepare and retain educators amid the ongoing teacher shortage. The bill is co-led in the House of Representatives by Congresswomen Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Jahana Hayes (D-CT).

In Minnesota, 84% of school districts report being affected by teacher shortages, and nearly one in four licensed teachers in Minnesota isn't working in a classroom. Among those who do, almost one-third of new teachers leave the profession within five years.

"Building a stronger education system is one of the smartest investments we can make. I hear from Minnesota schools every year about the shortages they can't seem to fill, and that it's only getting worse. Smaller and rural districts particularly struggle to fill spots, but no matter where it is, we can't seem to hire teachers in key subjects like STEM, technical education and special education," said Senator Tina Smith. "These shortages hurt our students the most, and that's why this legislation is so critical. Our kids deserve fully staffed schools."

The Addressing Teacher Shortages Act would establish a competitive federal grant program that school districts can apply to for five years of funding to strengthen teacher recruitment, training and retention. The bill also provides staffing resources at the U.S. Department of Education to help under-resourced communities apply for and access these grants. The bill gives school districts broad latitude to determine how best to spend the grant money to hire and retain qualified teachers in their communities.

Grant funding could be used by school districts and education partners to establish or expand:

• Teacher residency and mentorship programs to support early-career educators
• "Grow Your Own" programs that recruit graduates and community members to teach in their local schools
• "2+2" teacher preparation partnerships between community colleges and four-year universities
• Programs encouraging STEM majors to pursue education coursework and teaching careers
• Teacher preparation pathways in secondary schools

This legislation is endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, and Education Minnesota.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

###