NAEA Endorses Diversifying by Investing in Educators and Students to Improve Outcomes For Youth (DIVERSIFY) Act
Senator Cory Booker and Representatives Chuy Garcia and Jahana Hayes are planning to reintroduce the Diversifying by Investing in Educators and Students to Improve outcomes For Youth (DIVERSIFY) Act in September. This legislation aims to make teaching more financially accessible, especially for low- and middle-income and first-generation students who rely on the TEACH Grant, by reducing the debt and financial risk that often deters people from entering or completing educator preparation. Additionally, this could contribute to diversifying the teaching workforce, since many grant recipients come from the same communities as the high-need schools they serve. Extending eligibility to early childhood educators strengthens a chronically understaffed field, while restricting eligible institutions to public and nonprofit colleges helps ensure the investment produces well-prepared teachers. Together, these changes benefit students by supporting a more stable, diverse, and qualified teacher pipeline.
Along with other arts and education organizations, NAEA has signed on in support of the proposed legislation for the 119th Congress.
Read more about the DIVERSIFY Act here.