WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs' Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee, announced today that he has cosponsored, H.R. 3943, the bipartisan Post 9/11 Troops to Teachers Enhancement Act to help more troops transitioning to civilian life become teachers.

"The Troops to Teachers act is an excellent opportunity to support both our veterans and our schools in one bill," Mitchell said.  "As a former teacher I know how important it is to have well-trained instructors in the classrooms. I believe it is important to help veterans in the transition back to civilian life and welcome their transition to the classroom."

Troops to Teachers (TTT) was established in 1994 to help troops transitioning out of the military find careers in education.  It has contributed to the gender and racial diversity of the teaching workforce, as well as helped increase the number of teachers in priority subject areas such as math, science, special education or vocational education.

The Troops to Teachers Enhancement Act would:

• Extend the eligibility for the $5,000 stipend to any participant who agrees to teach three years in any school that is in a district that receives Title I funds, as defined in Section 2102 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
• Reduce service requirements to make the program more attractive to younger veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan by allowing any servicemember who has served at least 90 days of continuous active duty since September 11, 2001, eligible for participation in TTT.
• Reduces the active duty service requirement from six years to four for those who have not served 90 days since 9/11
• Create an advisory board charged with improving awareness of the program, increasing participation, and ensuring that the program meets the needs of our schools and our veterans.

TTT is funded by the Department of Education, administered by the Department of Defense and was last reauthorized by Congress as part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.