Press Release:
(DENVER) — A bill removing barriers for military veterans who want to become teachers, especially in rural and high-needs areas, passed out of the Education Committee today on a 10-0 vote.
Senate Bill 62 adds armed forces veterans to individuals the Colorado Department of Education considers when allocating scholarship money to colleges and universities getting teacher-training funds from the state’s Teach Colorado initiative.
“Veterans sacrifice so much for us, and the ‘Troops to Teachers’ bill provides an opportunity to offer a token of our gratitude,” said Rep. Dennis Apuan (D-El Paso), sponsor of the bill. “By providing scholarships for our troops to become teachers, everyone wins: veterans are more able to afford schooling and get a good job, schools that are having trouble hiring teachers will have a larger pool to choose from, and our economy and education systems are strengthened. And veterans can continue serving their community – as a teacher.”
The Teach Colorado Grant enabled state colleges and universities to establish a scholarship fund to help students go into teaching. If a student obtains the grant, that student is required to fill a teaching job in a high-needs area like special education or high school math. Or, the recipient would have to work in a rural area where there are teacher shortages in virtually every subject.
The bill now goes to the House floor. The Senate sponsor was Sen. Brandon Shaffer.
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