WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration wants to boost student skills in science, technology, engineering and math, and reward high performance teachers who help the cause.
The plan is to create an elite corps of master teachers in a $1 billion effort to boost U.S. students' achievement and reward top teachers with salary stipends. It's part of a long-term effort to encourage education in high-demand areas and to close the achievement gap between American students and their international peers.
Teachers selected for the Master Teacher Corps must commit to participate multiple years. Expert educators would share their knowledge and skills with other teachers.
At a Texas campaign rally, President Barack Obama framed his emphasis on expanded education funding as a point of contrast with Republican challenger Mitt Romney, whom he accused of prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy over reinvestment in the nation.
