[Peace-discuss] Keep the military out of our schools - part 1

[msimon at uiuc.edu]

"THE PURPOSE OF [TROOPS TO TEACHERS] IS TO ASSIST ELIGIBLE 
MILITARY PERSONNEL TO TRANSITION TO A NEW CAREER AS PUBLIC 
SCHOOL TEACHERS IN 'HIGH-NEED' SCHOOLS."  
proudtoserveagain.com

Let me first say that I am not against a veteran-teacher, per 
se.  I also am aware to some degree that getting and 
retaining high quality jobs can be much more difficult for 
veterans.  I applaud the DoD's "efforts" to aid veterans with 
securing stable careers, but the teaching profession?  "'high 
need' schools"?!  How can one not nod in agreement at claims 
of a poverty draft when the DoD is sending the military to 
poor community schools?  This program is funded by the 
supposedly progressive and revolutionary No Child Left Behind 
legislation, the same one that forces schools to give student 
records to military recruiters.  


Background
Troops to Teachers (TTT) was established in 1994 as a 
Department of Defense program. The National Defense 
Authorization Act for FY 2000 transferred the responsibility 
for program oversight and funding to the U.S. Department of 
Education but continued operation by the Department of 
Defense. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 provides for 
the continuation of TTT through Fiscal Year (FY) 2006. TTT is 
managed by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education 
Support (DANTES), Pensacola, Florida. 

Goal and Objectives
Reflecting the focus of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 
TTT's primary objective is to help recruit quality teachers 
for schools that serve low-income families throughout 
America. TTT helps relieve teacher shortages, especially in 
math, science, special education and other high-needs subject 
areas, and assists military personnel in making successful 
transitions to second careers in teaching. 

Current Status
Funding has been appropriated for FY 2002 to provide 
financial assistance to eligible participants, provide 
placement assistance, referral services, and maintain a 
network of state offices. Military personnel interested in a 
second career in public education may submit an application 
to DANTES. 

Program Function
The purpose of TTT is to assist eligible military personnel 
to transition to a new career as public school teachers 
in "high-need" schools. Counseling, referral, and placement 
assistance is provided through our network of state placement 
assistance offices. Twenty-five TTT State Support Offices 
have been established to assist participants with 
certification requirements and employment leads. The TTT 
homepage provides information and resource links, including a 
job referral system to allow participants to search for job 
vacancies as well as links to state Departments of Education, 
state certification offices, model resumes, and other job 
listing sites in public education.

Pending availability of funds, financial assistance may be 
provided to eligible individuals as stipends up to $5K to 
help pay for teacher certification costs or as bonuses of 
$10K. Stipend and bonus recipients must agree to teach for 
three years in school locations that meet certain Department 
of Education criteria. The maximum amount of assistance is 10
$K per person. Specific requirements: (A) Stipends of up to 
$5K are available to reimburse costs associated with becoming 
certified to teach. Recipients of these stipends must agree 
to teach for three years in a school located in a "high-need" 
district. (B) Bonuses of $10K are available to those who 
agree to teach for three years in a school that serves a high 
percentage of students from low-income families. 

Eligibility
Eligibility for funding: see the registration form for 
specific listing of eligibility categories or visit the TTT 
Home Page. Those interested in elementary or secondary 
teaching positions must have a bachelor's degree or higher 
from an accredited college. Those interested in teaching 
vocational subjects (e.g., electronics, automotive repair, 
construction trades, etc.) are required to have the 
equivalent of one year of college and six years of related 
experience. 

Registration
Those interested in Troops to Teachers should contact their 
base Education Center / Navy College office for a 
registration form or download a registration form from the 
Troops to Teachers Home Page. Individuals on active duty may 
register for the Troops to Teachers program at any time. They 
will not be eligible to apply for funding or referral 
assistance until one year prior to retirement.