Wyden Unveils Bill to Draw Top Teachers to Rural and Impoverished Areas

“I Teach” Act Creates Tax Incentives to Encourage Qualified Teachers to Serve Communities in Need

WASHINGTON – Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member, Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today introduced the “I Teach” Act which provides a $1,000 refundable tax credit to elementary and secondary school teachers who serve in rural or impoverished public schools.  Additionally it offers a $1,000 refundable credit to teachers who achieve National Board certification and provides these certified teachers a $2,000 credit for working in rural or impoverished school districts.

With nearly a third of all public schools in the United States located in rural areas, these schools often struggle to attract certified candidates due to low base salaries compared against the high cost of their education.

“Now is the time to invest in our rural and impoverished public schools, not just leave them in a continuous cycle of struggle” Wyden said. “This bill will help incentivize talented teachers to go out and serve in underprivileged communities where needs, and the potential for impact, are the greatest.”

The text of the legislation is available here.

###

• Print
• Email
• Tweet