A Wisconsin Congressman wants to make it easier for retired US troops to become teachers. The "Troops to Teachers" program has helped nearly 9,000 US soldiers become certified by offering them federal assistance. Nearly 70 of them have been from Wisconsin. But Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI) says the program is being limited after control of it was shifted to the Department of Education.
Participants are now required to teach in high poverty school districts in order to receive the $5,000 in assistance the program provides. Petri says that severely limits options for soldiers who may want to work close to home after active duty. For example, the Wisconsin Congressman says only two districts in the state qualify under those guidelines.
Petri plans to introduce legislation expanding the program, so interested soldiers have options other than going to inner-city schools to teach.