Sen. Shaffer's "Troops to Teachers" Bill Gets Committee OK

The Senate Education Committee Wednesday approved a bill that would provide college scholarships to military veterans studying to become math and science teachers.

SB 62, sponsored by Sen. Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, was unanimously approved by the committee.

“By providing financial incentives and professional development for our troops to become teachers, this bill will strengthen our economy as well as our education system," Shaffer, the Senate majority leader, said. "And most importantly, we can do it without any fiscal impact to the state’s budget.”

The bill makes the Teach Colorado grant, established by SB 133 last year, available to those who have served in the military and now wish to go into the teaching profession.

The Senate is expected to consider the bill on preliminary reading Jan. 23.