rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/help-us-promote-student-loan-forgiveness-program-for-teachers?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-help-us-promote-student-loan-forgiveness-program-for-teachers' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> North Dakota United https://actionnetwork.org/groups/north-dakota-united-2 https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/letters/photos/000/028/324/normal/Action_Alert_Email_Header.jpg North Dakota, like many states, is currently struggling with a shortage of qualified teachers to fill open positions across the state, particularly in our smaller, rural schools. The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) created an 11-member Educator Recruitment and Retention Task Force in 2015 to brainstorm ideas on how to "broaden the pipeline" for teachers. North Dakota United is a key partner in this task force, and the framework of SB 2243, originated out of our work together. This bill would create a student loan forgiveness program for new teachers who fill open positions in rural school districts, or in areas of critical need. If we're being serious about tackling the problem of teacher recruitment across the state, we need to begin the process of making the teaching profession more desirable for young people as they are planning out their career goals. Student debt is a major issue for all of our college graduates in the United States, so debt forgiveness for teachers in rural school districts would go a long way in making these jobs look more attractive for candidates in and out of our state. Tell your district's senator that SB 2243, and student loan forgiveness for new teachers, will help us to recruit the best and the brightest to the teaching profession in North Dakota! https://actionnetwork.org/letters/help-us-promote-student-loan-forgiveness-program-for-teachers