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Letter: Establish an Ameri-Corps-like program to reduce student debt

FILE- In this Sept. 12, 2014 file photo, as President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton mark the 20th anniversary of the AmeriCorps national service program, hundreds of new volunteers are sworn in for duty at a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Hundreds of Teach for America alumni are slamming the educator placement program for telling members to cross the picket line during a potential teacher strike in Oakland, California, or risk losing thousands of dollars at the end of their service. In partnership with the AmeriCorps, Teach for America members can apply for an education award at the end of their service to help pay off student loans. An AmeriCorps spokeswoman couldn't immediately provide comment but said striking is prohibited. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Given our recent experiences impacting our educational system, wherein many of our teachers and students were overextended having to learn new technology, in my opinion it makes sense to take advantage of recent college graduates’ knowledge to assist the educational system in an expanded AmeriCorps-type program; an educational service corps modeled on Franklin Roosevelt’s CCC Program.

While they are tutoring students K-12, college graduates can reduce their student loans up to $10,000 as proposed by the Biden administration, but must provide service in exchange for this debt relief.

This teaches the college students responsibility for their debts, as well as expanding their skills which will prove helpful in the professional communities they will be entering.

Additionally, what better way to establish role models for the younger generation while supporting their education?

What better way to hone one’s skills than to teach?

Sue Jensen Weeks, Salt Lake City

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