To produce a highly competitive and innovative workforce of tomorrow, it is important that we attract the best qualified teachers to our classrooms today. In order to address the persistent shortages of educators, talent and hard work should be rewarded with appropriate pay, while providing greater opportunities for professional development and growth.

I supported the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, signed into law in September 2007, to expand loan forgiveness programs for graduates who spend 10 years in a public service profession, including teaching.  This legislation also establishes TEACH grants in the amount of $4,000 per year for undergraduate students who commit to teaching in high-need school districts.

I also cosponsored the Teacher Tax Relief Act of 2007, increasing the tax deduction for classroom teaching expenses and professional development programs.

With my support, the Senate also passed the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2007, authorizing funding for Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants to promote high-quality and effective teacher preparation programs for new and prospective teachers.

I supported the bi-partisan American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R.1), which passed the Senate and was signed into law on February 17, 2009.  This law offers critical investments in education to help prevent teacher layoffs, improve the quality of our education system, and allow more students to afford the cost of higher education. It provides $53.6 billion in funding for states and school districts to avoid drastic cuts in education services, as well as $25 billion in support for educating at risk students and those with special needs. 

While I share many Virginians’ concerns about any increase in federal spending, I also recognize that many Virginia families continue to lose jobs.  On August 4, 2010, I voted in support of the FMAP and Education Jobs Fund bill.  This legislation included $10 billion to prevent teacher layoffs and further cuts in education.  Virginia will receive about $249 million from this funding and it is estimated to save 3,000 jobs.