Thomas E. Petri: “The Courtney/Petri/Matsui amendment would transfer the successful Troops to Teachers Program back to the Department of…”

“The Courtney/Petri/Matsui amendment would transfer the successful Troops to Teachers Program back to the Department of Defense and make important changes to the program to ensure it will continue to provide opportunities for veterans to transition into second careers as educators. I have been a supporter of the Troops to Teachers program since its authorization in the 1994 Defense Authorization Act, and I am proud of its success in placing over 12,000 veterans in our nation's classrooms. Troops to Teachers is a unique program that provides veterans with a $5,000 stipend to help cover the costs of obtaining a teaching certification in exchange for three years service in an eligible school. An additional bonus of $5,000 is available for teaching in a ``high need school.'' This structure has proven very effective in transitioning qualified retiring military personnel into second careers in teaching. Indeed, Troops participants fill several critical needs among educators: eighty percent are male, over one-third are ethnic minorities, and a majority bring an expertise in science and math to the classroom. Furthermore, these troops also bring valuable life experience and character traits that are uncommon in our nation's classroom. However, the success of this program is in jeopardy without the needed changes that are included in the Courtney/Petri/Matsui amendment.…”