Re: Caucus Introduces Historic Bill to Fund Teacher Training

[Guest guest]

http://www.autism-society.org/news/2002_teacher.html

Caucus Introduces Historic Bill to Fund Teacher Training

May 14, 2002 - An historic bill sponsored by the Congressional Autism

Caucus to specifically fund teacher training in autism was introduced before

Congress today. The bill, currently titled the " Teacher Education for

Autistic Children Act of 2002, " was introduced by the leaders of the Autism

Caucus.

The legislation would authorize the Department of Education to invest $20

million each year for five years in programs, grants, and, scholarships to

train teachers who teach students with autism. It would also provide an

additional $5 million each year for the states to invest in similar teacher

preparation and education programs. And, it will provide for a tax credit of

up to $10,000 each year for educators who undertake and pass certified

courses on autism education.

The bill was introduced by Representatives (R-NJ) and Mike

Doyle (D-PA) - the leaders of the Congressional Autism Caucus, formally known

as the Coalition for Autism Research and Education. The Autism Society of

America applauds the efforts of the Autism Caucus to address the important

issue of teacher training.

" We are thrilled that the Caucus, under the leadership of Reps. and

Doyle, is addressing this important issue, " ASA President Lee Grossman said.

" The lack of trained teachers has been of great concern to the autism

community for some time, and it is a problem that is only getting worse as

more and more children are diagnosed with autism each year, " Grossman added.

Rep. said the legislation would be an important step in helping to

solve this problem.

" Right now, there is a significant shortage of qualified teachers to work

with students with autism or autism spectrum disorders, " he said. " By

providing funding in the form of grants and scholarships for people who want

to work with these children, we will help draw more qualified professionals

into this field. "

" This bill will also help us draw qualified teachers already in the field

to work with students with autism. By providing tax credits for those who

successfully complete qualified course work, the government will provide the

incentive and assistance they may need, " Rep. added.

The bill will also require reviews of how local school districts educate

students with autism as well as a study of job training programs for people

with autism.

The bill comes on the heels of a landmark request for funding that would

nearly double government funding for autism at both the National Institutes

of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (See

" Congressmen Rally to Support Major Autism Funding Increase " for more

details.)

The request, which was drafted by Reps. and Doyle and signed by more

than 50 members of the Autism Caucus, requested an increase from $65 million

to $120 million in spending at the NIH and increase from $9.2 million to

$17.2 million in spending at CDC.