Congress is considering a huge expansion of the Troops to Teachers program, the McClatchy news service reports. Under a pending bill, an estimated 98 percent of U.S. schools would be eligible to hire troops-turned-teachers. In 2008 and 2009, Congress appropriated $14 million for the program each year. The new bill would authorize the program for as much as $50 million a year.

Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., said the program helps schools by providing them with more highly qualified math and science teachers while giving veterans “the opportunity to serve their country again.”

“Right now our country is grappling with an aging teaching workforce,” Matsui said. “And we have a definite need for qualified schoolteachers, particularly those that can provide mentorship and leadership.”

She’s promoting the legislation, along with Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet, Republican Rep. Tom Petri of Wisconsin and Democratic Rep. Joe Courtney of Connecticut.

Petri said the Education Department in recent years has restricted the eligibility of schools far beyond what Congress ever intended. Restrictions also limit the number of men and women coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan who can participate. The program has strong backing from the Obama administration. At a hearing of the House Education and Labor Committee in May, Education Secretary Arne Duncan promised to “push very hard” to sell the program.

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Filed under: K-12 Education News