The Biden administration has been in a series of controversies in recent months, but the Department of Education’s latest plan is drawing even more fire for the struggling administration.
The Department of Education announced several changes to the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program, including the removal of a GPA requirement for tuition assistance for future teachers.
“The Biden-Harris Administration introduced TEACH Grant Program enhancements as part of the American Families Plan that build on the improvements implemented today, while continuing to address teacher shortages in high-need fields such as special education, career and technical education, science, technology, engineering, and math,” the DOE said. “The proposed plan also aims to increase the access that students from low-income backgrounds and students of color have to comprehensive teacher preparation.”
The program comes as part of the American Families Plan, one of Biden’s proposed plans to spend roughly $2 trillion.
“Our teachers are champions of students‘ potential and stewards of their success. Respecting and honoring teachers who serve students with the greatest needs also requires that we ensure these educators receive the support to which they are entitled from this important federal program without having to jump through unnecessary hoops,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The changes announced today deliver much-needed improvements to the TEACH Grant. And, through the American Families Plan, even greater investments will be made in the program to strengthen teacher pipelines into the profession, support teacher retention, and address critical teacher shortages so that every child across America can be taught by well-prepared and outstanding educators.”
Biden’s plan would also significantly expand the available funds.
“The American Families Plan would double the TEACH Grant amount from $4,000 to $8,000 per year for juniors, seniors, and graduate students, in addition to the $4,000 students would receive in their freshman and sophomore year,” the agency said.
This is so unbelievably INSULTING to minority students. https://t.co/BPhEGqGF9P
— Trish Regan (@trish_regan) July 6, 2021