Jon L. Christensen: “as a mother of a teacher, and the granddaughter of one of my district's most noteworthy educators, I rise today in…”

“as a mother of a teacher, and the granddaughter of one of my district's most noteworthy educators, I rise today in support of H.R. 438, the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act. Our teachers lay the foundation for our future, and must be adequately compensated in whatever field they teach. However, math, science, and special education are subjects in which many rural and urban school districts, including my own, are facing shortages. In fact the entire Nation faces such shortages. According to the Center for the Study of Teaching and Policy, 31 percent of math teachers, 33 percent of life sciences teachers, and 57 percent of physical science teachers currently teaching grades 7-12 do not have a major or minor in the field they are teaching. The U.S. demand for scientists and engineers is expected to increase at more than double the rate for all other occupations during the next decade. The need for a scientifically literate population is essential to boost our economy and strengthen our national security. Technology and the innovation it creates drive productivity and economic growth. If the U.S. is to retain its competitive edge and maintain its leadership role in the world, we must do a better job teaching our children science and mathematics, as well as providing every child who has special needs the opportunity to develop and learn to his or her fullest potential.”