Obama Announces $1 Billion Elite Teachers Corp.
President Obama on Wednesday announced a new $1 billion effort to boost U.S. students’ achievements in core technology, engineering, math and science classes. The program will create an “elite corp” of masters teachers to help better educate students and train teachers.
Under terms of the program high-performing teachers will receive salary stipends, an attempt to encourage better teaching practices in the classroom which in turn leads to better students. The Obama administration says it hopes to close the gap between American and international students.
Obama said during his speech:
“I’m running to make sure that America has the best education system on earth, from pre-K all the way to post-graduate. And that means hiring new teachers, especially in math and science.”
The program will start with $100 million in funding to be handed out immediately to top-performing teachers, the remaining $900 million is part of the administrations 2013 budget request.
President Obama attempted to cover the funds earlier in the year but his request was shot down by the House and Senate.
Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee notes that more than 80 teacher quality programs already exist and adding one more would be foolish, perhaps even unproductive.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan believes both sides will eventually agree to fund the program.
The United States according to a recent survey must increase the number of math, science and technology students by 34% in order to keep up with public demand well into the future.
Tags : American Education, Education System, Elite Teachers, obama, President Obama, Teachers Corp
Posted: July 18, 2012
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Jul 18, 2012
And the money for this is coming from where? I like the idea, I just think we need to stop the hemorrage of money before we open another hole.
Jul 18, 2012
Maybe the 24.9% of my income taxes going to national defense can be cut to a lower amount and that can fund the program. Of the 10.5% of that 24.9%, it goes to ongoing operations. Maybe we can lower that percentage and shift it to fund this program. There is no need to be paying for these costly military operations that could better be served through more efficient, technological & less expensive means.
Jul 18, 2012
I understand creating the Elite Core of Master Teachers, but where do all the special education teachers fall? There is a core group of these teachers that is extremely dedicated to providing education to a population that will never be the best of the best. Is it fair that these teachers are excluded from this bonus?
Jul 18, 2012
Good point Liz. I know a few special education teacher and they work harder than other teachers. There are a lot of other programs but admittedly I don't know where those programs work for special education teachers either. The Obama plan is more to increase tech jobs and only math, science and tech classes actually fall under it, so gym teachers, English teachers and others may be excluded as well.
Jul 18, 2012
FIRST the teachers need the freedom to teach! Children must LEARN basic Reading, Writing and 'Rithmatic! My generation had to do it or not get promoted to the next grade. Hurt feelings were the direct consequence of their inaction in class and with homework. It's called accountability!
If we can take care of these matters first, the rest should fall into place. We used to be the top performing nation in the world. Where are we now and more importantly WHY!
Jul 18, 2012
As a teacher's aide, I have witnessed teachers that let students take tests 2 or 3 times til they get a better score so they can look good for incentives. This will not necessarily make better teachers, and students will suffer for it.
Jul 18, 2012
Sherry, it will not just be about better test scores, teachers will have to submit for approval. Details are a bit sketchy but I am assuming some type of observational standards will have to be met. Agreed though I went to a top-tier H.S. and teachers floated grades like crazy!
Jul 18, 2012
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Jul 19, 2012
Maybe if the freakin' Republicans hadn't got us into two wars we could afford this!
Jul 19, 2012
Maybe so, but we still don't have the money. Cut the other spending before you add another expense.
Jul 19, 2012
Sherry, the school demands better scores for funding…it's not just the teachers trying to make themselves look good.
Jul 22, 2012
Could we just start with each student having a book to take home instead of sharing the ones in the classrooms? Could they get updated from about 8 years ago, these things would help? We don't have coal severance tax money anymore and the state is broke. Eastern Kentucky
Jul 22, 2012
Could we just start with each student having a book to take home instead of sharing the ones in the classrooms? Could they get updated from about 8 years ago, these things would help? We don't have coal severance tax money anymore and the state is broke. Eastern Kentucky