Oregon Student Association
Founded in 1975, OSA is a coalition of student governments dedicated to the representation, service, and protection of the collective interests of over 100,000 students in postsecondary education.
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Internet Digest
February 13, 2007
Diversifying Oregon's Teachers: The Multicultural Student to Teacher Loan Program
University of Oregon student and OSCC Board member Lorena Landeros testified before the Senate Education Committee on February 8th in support of the Multicultural Student to Teacher Loan Program (SB 434) and the dash one amendments. This bill would provide some student loan forgiveness to qualified Oregon college students who agree to teach in the state upon graduation. The loans are targeted to students of color and first-generation, low-income, and non-traditional students.
Lorena spoke from first-hand experience about growing up as a first-generation student who was charged with the task of learning English as a first and second grader. It is her goal to give back to students in a similar situation by becoming an elementary school teacher. Lorena hopes to act as a role model for young Latino students that looks like they do and understands their culture. But currently Lorena expects to have over $30,000 in student loan debt by the time she achieves her undergraduate and graduate degrees. This debt would be unmanageable at a starting teacher’s salary in Oregon. Legislation like the Multicultural Student to Teacher Loan Program will help to ensure that diverse teachers are able to teach the children of their own communities. As our state population becomes more and more diverse, this legislation is more important than ever to our state’s future.
One of the primary goals of public higher education is to develop leaders that will give back to our state. SB 434 would bring us a step closer to ensuring that all Oregon students are able to accept the teaching and public service jobs that are invaluable to our state and communities.
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