On the recordJuly 9, 2003
I rise in support of the Ready to Teach Act. This bill takes important steps toward one of the most important goals for our Nation--filling our schools with committed, talented teachers. The shortage of qualified teachers in our country has reached critical levels, and it has a direct impact on the quality of education, especially in underserved areas. In urban districts, close to 50 percent of newcomers leave the profession during their first five years of teaching. This bill recognizes the importance of not only filling our schools with teachers, but providing these teachers with the resources and training that allow them to be successful and to make their students successful as well. I want to call your attention to a school in my district, The Chicago Academy, as an example of the type of positive change that can be brought about by quality teacher preparation programs.
Source
govinfo.gov
