On behalf of the AACTE, President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone issued the following statement today on the House Appropriations Committee passage of the fiscal year 2022 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill:

"AACTE is deeply gratified to see such an historic investment in education, and particularly in educator preparation. While our members have advocated for years, indeed decades, for such investments, this is the first time Congress has responded with such a robust bill. These unprecedented increases will make a significant difference in addressing the long-term deficits in our nation’s education system. They will enable our nation to address the critical shortage of educators and the lack of diversity in our profession in transformative ways. AACTE urges Congress to pass this legislation and send it to President Biden for his signature as soon as possible.

AACTE will close its offices tomorrow in recognition of Juneteenth, which honors the day when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, to enforce the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. Until that day, June 19, 1865, Black men, women, and children in Texas remained enslaved, despite the provisions of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth, as named by the newly freed citizens, is celebrated annually on June 19. Congress voted this week to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.

AACTE staff pauses its work to reflect on the violence, including murder, that our Black, Latinx, Native American, Asian-American Pacific-Islander, and Transgendered populations are particularly experiencing, in addition to the long history of violence against these groups of people. AACTE condemns, in the strongest terms, this violence and invites all its colleagues to work together to create a society in which no one should fear for their lives based on the color of their skin or gender identity. 

AACTE believes that all also must work together to eliminate institutional racism, which plagues our nation and our educational system. As the Association that represents educator preparation programs that prepare the next generation of teachers, AACTE is leading the way. Through conferences, webinars, public statements, and other tools, AACTE works to affect change by advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion, engaging in critical conversations about race, and countering the abhorrent impact racism and discrimination continue to have upon our society.

On behalf of AACTE, President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone issued the following statement on President Joseph R. Biden’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget:

“Today, President Biden let educators know that he has heard our voices loud and clear.  The unprecedented investments called for in his FY 22 budget proposal begin to redress the chronic inequities in our nation’s education system. With a new $20 billion Title I Equity grant, a $1 billion program to double mental health professionals in schools, and a significant increase in Pell grants, educators can envision a future where every student is on a pathway to success. The President’s budget reflects a full understanding of the crisis in our educator pipeline and recommends robust increases to address it. AACTE is thrilled to endorse President Biden’s vision and commitment to a fully equitable education system.  We are eager to work with Congress to make these requests a reality.”

On behalf of AACTE, President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone issued the following statement to celebrate educators during National Teacher Appreciation Week:

“One of the most pervasive truths in American public education is that great teachers transform lives. COVID-19 illuminated the vital role teachers play in our communities. As parents struggled to balance work, supervise virtual classrooms, and co-educate their children, a new awareness and appreciation arose for the influence, importance, and value of teachers. Educators across America have learned new technologies, created innovative ways to reach students online, and, above all, kept education moving forward. As we celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week, AACTE thanks these critical front-line workers for their adaptability, ingenuity, and dedication and recognizes the difficult circumstances they face in returning to the classroom. 

On behalf of the AACTE, President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone issued the following statement on President Biden’s American Families Plan:

“President Biden today released the American Families Plan, which includes a transformative investment in our nation’s education system from early childhood through higher education. In addition to calling for free community college and free, universal pre-K for all 3- and 4-year-olds, the plan targets a $9 billion investment in teacher education and support.

AACTE has long advocated for such an investment to address growing teacher shortages, reduced enrollment in educator preparation programs, lack of diversity among teacher candidates, and the cost of college for prospective educators. Prior to the pandemic, American schools needed an estimated 100,000 additional certified teachers. Teachers without full qualifications disproportionately serve students of color and students with disabilities, posing a significant equity challenge.

AACTE this week officially launched its new online community, AACTE Connect360, the premier connection circle for engaging and collaborating to advance educator preparation. The virtual platform enables teacher educators, candidates, and partners to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange ideas and resources, and share best practices on real-time issues impacting the profession. With user-friendly features, AACTE Connect360 enables the Association’s members to easily access their professional community for the support they need during these unprecedented times in education.

“AACTE members are committed to advancing educator preparation through cutting edge research and innovative practice and offer a wealth of knowledge on best practices in preparing high-quality teachers. AACTE developed the Connect360 online community to enhance the exchange of knowledge and provide access on-demand to solutions that address the rising challenges in education today,” said Matthew J. Wales, AACTE vice president, member services and events. “AACTE Connect360 gives members a place to connect virtually, which is especially critical while not able to convene in-person meetings and events due to COVID-19. This interactive platform brings together AACTE’s community in an exciting and engaging way.”

AACTE Connect360 is a member-only resource that enables users to post messages, share files, download resources, watch videos, collaborate with peers and industry leaders, participate in special interest communities, and expand connections with others. AACTE Connect360 provides educators the means to increase social interactions virtually and grow their network with colleagues and experts in the field year-round.

To learn more about AACTE Connect360, watch the introductory video and visit aacteconnect360.org. For the latest in what’s happening with AACTE’s new online community, follow us at #AACTE360.

On behalf of AACTE, President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone issued the following statement responding to recent hate crimes toward the Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community:

“AACTE believes that to educate is to enlighten. As such, our Association remains committed to educating all learners in PK-12 and higher education institutions to enlighten and empower the next generation of citizens. As an educational association of colleges and universities that values the diversity of students, their families, and educators, AACTE condemns the escalation of violence and harassment toward our AAPI colleagues, students, and friends. Learn more