APA endorsed the Save Education Jobs Act (H.R. 8691), which would stabilize the education workforce, lessen students’ learning loss, and address the behavioral and emotional well-being of students. The bill—introduced by key members of the House Education and Labor Committee, including Chairman Bobby Scott (D-Va.)—is meant as a COVID-related jobs stimulus to address the recent loss of teachers and other critical school personnel, such as school-based mental health providers, across the country. It would create an Education Jobs Fund to provide up to $261 billion to states and school districts over 10 years and save millions of education jobs, including teachers, school psychologists, paraprofessionals, social workers, nurses, and specialized instructional support personnel.
“The American Psychological Association supports this important legislation and applauds the Education and Labor Committee’s efforts to address the impacts of COVID-19 on the education workforce. As the economic fallout of the pandemic has hit state and local budgets particularly hard, this bill would ensure the federal support necessary to address the loss of teachers and other critical personnel, including school-based mental health providers, across the country. A robust workforce will be critical to mitigate learning loss and meet the social and emotional learning needs of all students across the socioeconomic spectrum,” said APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD.
For more information, contact Kenneth Polishchuk.