Kevin Kiley: “I will take a few moments today to share with folks here in D.C. and across the country a little bit about a program…”

“I will take a few moments today to share with folks here in D.C. and across the country a little bit about a program that I am an alumnus of called Teach For America and to share why I think this is an extremely important program for us to protect and to support right now and in the years ahead. Right now, we see our schools across this country in a state of crisis. The nation's report card that recently came out revealed truly shocking declines in student achievement, but one bright spot in this otherwise very troubling picture has been Teach For America, otherwise known as TFA. What TFA does is recruit recent college graduates to go teach in the toughest schools, schools in low-income communities. It is a very selective program. In some years, the acceptance rate for those who apply to be TFA teachers is as low as 11 percent. That is as selective as many of the most elite colleges in the country. I was a teacher through TFA in Los Angeles. I taught 10th grade English. I had students who were, on average, at a fourth or fifth grade reading level when they came to my classroom, but I had a tremendous experience. My students achieved significant academic gains as part of my classes. I chaired the English Department while I was there. I even started an award-winning speech and debate program that provided opportunities to compete for students who otherwise wouldn't have had that experience or had that opportunity.…”