Renzi, Cuellar Introduce Teachers of English Language Learners Act of 2007

Legislation provides tax incentives to attract qualified ELL teachers to rural Arizona WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Reps. Rick Renzi (R-AZ) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) recently introduced the Teachers of English Language Learners (TELL) Act of 2007, legislation that provides up to $1,500 in tax credits to teachers of English Language Learners (ELL) in high-needs areas. "I am pleased to join Congressman Cuellar in introducing this bipartisan measure to help more rural Arizona students excel and succeed," said Congressman Renzi. "With over twelve percent of First District students classified as 'English Language Learners,' this legislation will go a long way toward preparing our students for the academic challenges of the 21st Century. I am grateful to all of rural Arizona's hardworking teachers for their dedication to our children, and look forward to attracting more specialized instructors to our area." SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THE TELL ACT · The TELL Act allows teachers in schools with an ELL population greater than 10%, and who teach in a high-needs school, to receive a tax credit up to $1,500 for each of their first five years and then $1,000 per year for up to 5 years after that. * This bill supports teachers in becoming proficient in instructing ELL students by providing a tax deduction for eligible costs related to becoming certified in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) through accredited programs. In some states, like Arizona, teachers must complete some basic courses on teaching English Language Learners (ELL) students and teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in order to be certified to teach in the state.