Early childhood teachers are underpaid and often without health insurance or retirement benefits. These dedicated professionals of our youngest learners want to pursue higher education so that they are better qualified to teach our children.

Both the New York State Assembly and the Senate have introduced loan forgiveness bills that would make higher education possible for early education teachers who cannot afford it on their own.

There is a limited timeframe for getting these bills passed so ACT NOW! We need YOU to urge your legislators to support loan forgiveness for early care and education professionals.

Send the letter below TODAY! 

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As you know, early childhood teachers are underpaid and often without health insurance or retirement benefits. Still, these dedicated professionals want to pursue higher education so that they are better qualified to teach our children. The Assembly and the Senate recently introduced bills (A.6759/S.4378) that support loan forgiveness for early childhood professionals. Passage of these companion bills would be a huge step toward creating high-quality early learning programs for children.

A.6759/S.4378 would grant student loan forgiveness awards of up to a total of $25,000 for individuals who agree to continue employment in the child care field. Right now, both bills sit in their respective Higher Education Committees. I urge you to help move these bills out of committee and onto the floor for a vote!

Research shows that qualified teachers are the key to ensuring positive educational outcomes for children. Yet many early childhood teachers have little or no formal education in early childhood development. For many, it's because they can't afford that training and education. The field pays very poorly, making it hard to pursue higher education. In fact, many dedicated teachers are leaving the field because they cannot afford to stay.

Loan forgiveness is a great way to encourage and support them. New York State supports other professionals, including lawyers and doctors. Math, science, and special education teachers receive loan forgiveness under a federal program. Why not support the individuals who care for and teach our youngest children every day? Given the research that shows how important the first five years of life are, and how important it is to have qualified teachers in the classrooms, it's time for New York State to support the teachers who work with young children.

We need to have qualified teachers in early childhood programs, to make sure our children enter school ready to succeed. Please support moving A.6759/S.4378 out of committee and to the floor for a vote before the end of the legislative session.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 17, 2007