LANSING – State Representative Vicki Barnett (D-Farmington Hills) today announced a sweeping program that will provide student loan reimbursement grants to educators in at-risk school districts. The 10-year grant program aims to attract and retain quality teachers in lower income schools.
"Every student deserves the chance to receive a world-class education," Barnett said. "We must ensure that all students have the same opportunities as any other. With this plan, we can take a step toward that goal by ensuring that lower income districts can attract and retain quality teachers."
Barnett's plan will establish a grant program that pays off the student loan debt of eligible teachers. The grants will pay off 10 percent of the teacher's student loan debt per year over the course of 10 years, which provides an incentive for teachers to stay in district.
In order to be eligible, teachers must be employed in a district where more than half of the students come from low-income families, which is defined as those who meet income eligibility requirements for the free federal school lunch program.
"If Michigan is going to compete in the high-tech economy, our kids need the kind of education that will prepare them for those jobs," Barnett said. "Right now, some of our kids just aren't getting a fair shake. Getting quality teachers in the classroom and keeping them there is critical to giving all our kids an equal chance at success in the classroom and in life."