U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) have introduced the Supporting Providers of English Language Learning (SPELL) Act to help address the national multilingual teacher shortage by increasing loan forgiveness from $5,000 to $17,500 for teachers of English learners (ELs). Representatives Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.-13) and Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.-07) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
Currently, if a highly-qualified teacher has been employed for five consecutive years in a low-income school, they are eligible for up to $5,000 of student loan forgiveness. Certain teachers who go into high demand subjects are eligible for an increased benefit of $17,500 of student loan forgiveness. Recognizing the growing EL teacher shortage, the SPELL Act adds EL teachers to this high demand category, making them eligible for additional debt relief.
Click here to find EL Teacher Education Programs that will Qualify for Loan Forgiveness
“Educating students learning English requires specialized instruction and unique teacher strategies,” said Senator Padilla. “Yet, we are facing a devastating shortage of teachers with the skills needed to support these students. By lessening the financial burden, we can help incentivize a greater number of passionate, and highly qualified teachers to enter and stay in the classroom.”
“Every student deserves a fair chance to succeed and thrive at school; teachers of English Learners are essential to making that possible,” said Senator Kim. “In the face of nationwide teacher shortages and attacks on critical education programs, this legislation would make it possible for more to answer the call to serve in our schools and to help generations of students along the way.”
“English Learners are among the fastest-growing groups of students in the country, especially in California, and it is crucial that they have qualified, passionate teachers in their classrooms,” said Senator Schiff. “The SPELL Act will encourage more prospective English teachers to pursue that path by ensuring the same loan forgiveness standards as math, science, and special education teachers. I am proud to join Senator Padilla in this effort, and I will continue to work with him to ensure that California’s students and teachers are in a position to succeed.”
The Department of Education has reported that 32 states have a shortage of teachers for EL students, making them unable to meet students’ needs and resulting in a discouraging academic achievement gap for this growing population. The cost of teacher preparation programs can be an obstacle for many to enter the profession, but data shows an association between teachers’ preparation level and their teaching effectiveness and retention. Research demonstrates that loan forgiveness programs are successful at encouraging teachers to take positions in fields and at locations where they are most needed, and forgiveness programs also help to support retention.
Specifically, the bill would provide up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness for teachers of ELs, bilingual students, and/or dual language immersion students. This matches the same level of enhanced forgiveness available to math, science, and special education teachers.
The SPELL Act is endorsed by organizations including TESOL, AFT, UnidosUS, and the California Community Colleges.
“At a time when the Trump administration seems intent on attacking English language learners, public school educators continue to fulfill their mission to serve each and every child who comes through their classroom door,” commented AFT President Randi Weingarten. “ELL teachers have dedicated their lives to helping kids, but student debt and the cost of living are dragging them down. The Supporting Providers of English Language Learning Act would allow ELL teachers to qualify for the highest level of Teacher Loan Forgiveness so they can pursue their careers free from the specter of permanent student debt.”
“To prepare students to succeed in school and beyond, they should have access early on to bilingual educators who understand their language, culture, and learning needs. Yet schools across the country continue to face shortages of bilingual and English learner teachers,” pointed out Carmen M. Feliciano, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, UnidosUS. “The SPELL Act is a commonsense investment in strengthening that workforce by expanding student loan relief for educators who dedicate their careers to serving English learners and students in bilingual and dual-language programs. UnidosUS applauds Senator Padilla for championing this legislation and helping remove financial barriers to entering and remaining in the teaching profession. By investing in these educators, we are investing in the success of millions of English learners and in a stronger, more representative teacher workforce.”
Padilla also joined Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M) in reintroducing the Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act, legislation that would expand and modernize the federal loan forgiveness program for educators. This legislation would help address educator shortages and increase children’s access to a diverse and well-prepared educator workforce by strengthening the federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF) Program. In June, Padilla led Senate colleagues in condemning the Trump Administration’s attacks on English learners and the dissolution of the Department of Education’s Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA).
