PROGRAM OVERVIEW
 

Troops to Teachers (TTT) was established in 1994 as a Department of Defense program. The National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2000 transferred the responsibility for program oversight and funding to the U.S. Department of Education but continued operation by the Department of Defense. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 provides for the continuation of TTT through Fiscal Year (FY) 2006. TTT is managed by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), Pensacola, Florida.

Reflecting the focus of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, TTT's primary objective is to help recruit quality teachers for schools that serve low-income families throughout America. TTT helps relieve teacher shortages, especially in math, science, special education and other high-needs subject areas, and assists military personnel in making successful transitions to second careers in teaching.

Funding has been appropriated for FY 2002 to provide financial assistance to eligible participants, provide placement assistance, referral services, and maintain a network of state offices. Military personnel interested in a second career in public education may submit an application to DANTES.

The purpose of TTT is to assist eligible military personnel to transition to a new career as public school teachers in "high-need" schools. Counseling, referral, and placement assistance is provided through our network of state placement assistance offices. Twenty-five TTT State Support Offices have been established to assist participants with certification requirements and employment leads. The TTT homepage provides information and resource links, including a job referral system to allow participants to search for job vacancies as well as links to state Departments of Education, state certification offices, model resumes, and other job listing sites in public education.

Pending availability of funds, financial assistance may be provided to eligible individuals as stipends up to $5K to help pay for teacher certification costs or as bonuses of $10K. Stipend and bonus recipients must agree to teach for three years in school locations that meet certain Department of Education criteria. The maximum amount of assistance is 10$K per person. Specific requirements: (A) Stipends of up to $5K are available to reimburse costs associated with becoming certified to teach. Recipients of these stipends must agree to teach for three years in a school located in a "high-need" district. (B) Bonuses of $10K are available to those who agree to teach for three years in a school that serves a high percentage of students from low-income families.

Eligibility for funding: see the registration form for specific listing of eligibility categories or visit the TTT Home Page. Those interested in elementary or secondary teaching positions must have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college. Those interested in teaching vocational subjects (e.g., electronics, automotive repair, construction trades, etc.) are required to have the equivalent of one year of college and six years of related experience.

Those interested in Troops to Teachers should contact their base Education Center / Navy College office for a registration form or download a registration form from the Troops to Teachers Home Page. Individuals on active duty may register for the Troops to Teachers program at any time. They will not be eligible to apply for funding or referral assistance until one year prior to retirement.