Veterans Education News & Updates
New Newsletter Highlights Veterans Education Programs
The Veterans Education and Training Section has launched a new monthly newsletter for Missouri and Iowa veterans and the educational community. The first issue features advantages of the Troops To Teachers programs for schools and veterans, as well as GI Bill benefits.
- January 2009 issue (pdf)
- February 2009 issue (pdf)
- March 2009 issue (pdf)
- May 2009 issue (pdf)
- June 2009 issue (pdf)
Spouses to Teachers Program Being Phased Out
Spouses to Teachers (STT) will not be funded in the Federal Fiscal Year 2009. Veterans' Education and Training Section ceased STT operations as of October 1, 2008.
Missouri Veterans Educational Programs
Achieve High Approval Rankings
In 2007, Missouri's Veterans Education and Training section received a top state performance ranking by the Veterans Administration. Missouri was ranked second in the nation in active apprenticeship and on-the-job (OTJ) training approvals. The state's program also was sixth highest in approvals for Institutions of Higher Learning.
See article on page 2 in November 2007 Missouri Career Education News Bulletin.
Troops To Teachers Program Still A Win-Win
The Troops to Teachers program continues to pursue the goal of helping to relieve teacher shortages, especially in math, science, special education and other high needs subject areas, while also assisting military personnel in making successful transitions to second careers in teaching.
DESE's Division of Career Education is among the network of state Troops to Teachers program offices that has been established to provide participants with counseling and assistance regarding certification requirements, routes to state certification, and employment leads. It also began managing Iowa's program in 2007 through the program's consortium of states.
Financial assistance may be provided to eligible individuals. Stipends up to $5,000 may help reimburse teacher certification costs, or bonuses of $10,000 may be provided to participating teachers in schools serving a high percentage of students from low-income families. Participants who accept the stipend or bonus must agree to teach for three years in targeted schools in accordance with the authorizing legislation.