BOOSTING OUR SCHOOLS AS CHILDREN HEAD BACK TO THE CLASSROOM
Maine is consistently ranked among the top states in America in which to raise children, and it's little wonder, given the hard work and dedication of teachers throughout the state. That's why it is so important to do what we can to make sure that our teachers receive all the help and support we can give them, and I have been working on several initiatives in Washington to do just that.
Despite modest salaries, tight school budgets often force teachers in Maine and across America open their wallets to purchase school supplies to give their students the best education possible. According to a recent report from Quality Education Data, the average teacher spends more than $520 a year out-of-pocket on school supplies.
I have visited more than 100 schools in Maine, and everywhere I go, teachers are spending their own money to improve the educational experiences of their students by supplementing classroom supplies. As President Bush aptly put it, "Teachers sometimes lead with their hearts and pay with their wallets."
I have spoken to many teachers in Maine who have described the books, supplies, and other materials they routinely purchase for their students. One veteran elementary school teacher in Auburn told me of reaching deep into her pocket to buy materials, supplies, and other treats for her students. At the end of one year, she started to add up all of the receipts that she had saved and was startled to discover they exceeded $1,000. She told me at that point she decided she'd better stop counting.
In order to help our teachers, I recently introduced the Teacher Tax Relief Act of 2003. This legislation builds on a law I wrote last year that gives a $250 above-the-line tax deduction to teachers who spend their own money on classroom materials – for two years, and many educators have already taken advantage of that deduction. My new legislation, however, would double the amount that a teacher can deduct – from $250 to $500 – and it would make this modest tax relief permanent. Furthermore, my bill would include professional development expenses in the deduction, an important benefit that will help improve teaching in schools throughout the country.
Educational researchers have demonstrated, time and again, the strong correlation between qualified teachers and successful students. A recent survey by the National Center for Education Statistics found that most teachers who had participated in more than eight hours of professional development during the previous year felt "very well prepared" in the area in which the instruction occurred. Obviously, teachers who are taking additional course work and pursuing advanced degrees become even more valuable in the classroom.
The educators themselves understand just how important professional development is to maintaining and expanding their level of expertise. When I meet with teachers from Maine, they repeatedly tell me of their desire and need for more professional development. But they also tell me that, unfortunately, school budgets are so tight that frequently the school districts cannot provide the assistance a teacher needs in order to take that additional course or pursue that advanced degree. My legislation will encourage our teachers as they take those extra steps to improve their classroom work.
The Teacher Tax Relief Act of 2003 provides financial assistance to educators, but its ultimate beneficiaries will be our students. Besides involved parents, a well qualified teacher is the single most important prerequisite for student success. The tax relief we passed overwhelmingly in the last Congress will help us make up the debt we owe our dedicated teachers, and the legislation I have introduced this year will further encourage our teachers to go the extra mile. As one middle school teacher said to me, "It's a nice recognition of the contributions that many teachers have made."
I am also pleased that Maine will soon receive its share of a federal grant to help districts and schools improve student achievement in reading through the application of scientifically based reading research. This grant, through the Reading First Program, which I co-authored in the U.S. Senate, will help states, school districts, and schools apply this research to ensure that all children can read by third grade at the latest. These dollars will allow schools to put early reading intervention programs into place in the first four years of a pupil's education and provide funds for teachers to take advantage of professional development opportunities.
Maine is rich in natural resources, but no resource is as precious to us as our children. Investing in education and bolstering our teachers is the surest way to ensure a bright future for our state and our country. As boys and girls across Maine head back to the classroom, I will continue to work to ensure that our schools are serving them as well as possible and that their teachers are given the tools they need to succeed in their critical mission.
