Legis Daily

Teacher and School Leader Quality Partnership Grants Act

USA119th CongressHR-1331| House 
| Updated: 2/13/2025
Jennifer L. McClellan

Jennifer L. McClellan

Democratic Representative

Virginia

Cosponsors (2)
LaMonica McIver (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Teacher and School Leader Quality Partnership Grants Act" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to significantly enhance the quality of teachers, school leaders, and other educators. It expands the scope of existing grant programs to include a broader range of educators and focuses on improving their preparation and professional development. The bill also introduces new accountability measures for educator preparation programs and mandates a comprehensive study to elevate the education profession. The bill updates and expands numerous definitions, including "educator," "diverse teacher candidates," "high-need local educational agency," "high-need school," and "profession-ready" for various roles. It redefines "limited English proficient" to English learner and emphasizes evidence-based practices and comprehensive literacy instruction . The purposes of the grants are broadened to include holding preparation programs accountable, recruiting diverse and profession-ready individuals, and addressing staffing needs in high-need areas. Applications for partnership grants must now detail how programs will prepare educators with strong teaching and leadership skills, ensure equitable distribution, and specifically address the needs of students with disabilities and English learners. Grant funds can be used for pre-baccalaureate or 5th-year initial licensing programs, teaching or principal/school leader residency programs, or a combination, with flexibility for other educator development based on needs assessments. The bill establishes detailed requirements for teaching residency programs and principal or school leader residency programs . These programs must integrate pedagogy, classroom practice, and mentoring, include rigorous coursework leading to certification, and provide extensive experience alongside trained mentors. Residents receive a living stipend or salary and must commit to serving at least three school years in a high-need school or local educational agency, with repayment obligations if the service is not completed. A new Teacher Leader Development Program is introduced, focusing on professional development for highly effective teachers who take on formalized leadership responsibilities while maintaining their classroom roles. This includes training in curriculum development, coaching, and family engagement. The program provides one year of intensive professional development and up to two additional years of support, with selection criteria based on experience and demonstrated effectiveness. The bill significantly strengthens accountability by requiring eligible partnerships to establish evaluation plans with measurable objectives for educator retention, certification pass rates, and the percentage of profession-ready educators hired in high-need areas. States are mandated to conduct assessments to identify and provide technical assistance to at-risk and low-performing teacher and school leader preparation programs. Programs that fail to improve face termination of eligibility for federal funding and student aid. Finally, a new Advisory Committee will conduct a feasibility study to examine State policies related to educator preparation and certification. The study's purpose is to develop a comprehensive set of expectations for entry into the profession, identify best practices for producing "profession-ready" educators, and recommend ways to elevate the education profession. The Secretary of Education is also directed to create an accessible online clearinghouse of State certification procedures and best practices.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-4423
Teacher and School Leader Quality Partnership Grants Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-9986
Teacher and School Leader Quality Partnership Grants Act
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 13, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-4423
    Teacher and School Leader Quality Partnership Grants Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-9986
    Teacher and School Leader Quality Partnership Grants Act


  • February 13, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 13, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Education

Academic performance and assessmentsAdvisory bodiesCongressional oversightDisability and paralysisEducational technology and distance educationEducation of the disadvantagedEducation programs fundingElementary and secondary educationEmployee performanceEmployment and training programsForeign language and bilingual programsGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHigher educationLicensing and registrationsMinority employmentPerformance measurementPreschool educationSchool administrationSpecial educationStudent aid and college costsStudent recordsTeaching, teachers, curricula

Teacher and School Leader Quality Partnership Grants Act

USA119th CongressHR-1331| House 
| Updated: 2/13/2025
The "Teacher and School Leader Quality Partnership Grants Act" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to significantly enhance the quality of teachers, school leaders, and other educators. It expands the scope of existing grant programs to include a broader range of educators and focuses on improving their preparation and professional development. The bill also introduces new accountability measures for educator preparation programs and mandates a comprehensive study to elevate the education profession. The bill updates and expands numerous definitions, including "educator," "diverse teacher candidates," "high-need local educational agency," "high-need school," and "profession-ready" for various roles. It redefines "limited English proficient" to English learner and emphasizes evidence-based practices and comprehensive literacy instruction . The purposes of the grants are broadened to include holding preparation programs accountable, recruiting diverse and profession-ready individuals, and addressing staffing needs in high-need areas. Applications for partnership grants must now detail how programs will prepare educators with strong teaching and leadership skills, ensure equitable distribution, and specifically address the needs of students with disabilities and English learners. Grant funds can be used for pre-baccalaureate or 5th-year initial licensing programs, teaching or principal/school leader residency programs, or a combination, with flexibility for other educator development based on needs assessments. The bill establishes detailed requirements for teaching residency programs and principal or school leader residency programs . These programs must integrate pedagogy, classroom practice, and mentoring, include rigorous coursework leading to certification, and provide extensive experience alongside trained mentors. Residents receive a living stipend or salary and must commit to serving at least three school years in a high-need school or local educational agency, with repayment obligations if the service is not completed. A new Teacher Leader Development Program is introduced, focusing on professional development for highly effective teachers who take on formalized leadership responsibilities while maintaining their classroom roles. This includes training in curriculum development, coaching, and family engagement. The program provides one year of intensive professional development and up to two additional years of support, with selection criteria based on experience and demonstrated effectiveness. The bill significantly strengthens accountability by requiring eligible partnerships to establish evaluation plans with measurable objectives for educator retention, certification pass rates, and the percentage of profession-ready educators hired in high-need areas. States are mandated to conduct assessments to identify and provide technical assistance to at-risk and low-performing teacher and school leader preparation programs. Programs that fail to improve face termination of eligibility for federal funding and student aid. Finally, a new Advisory Committee will conduct a feasibility study to examine State policies related to educator preparation and certification. The study's purpose is to develop a comprehensive set of expectations for entry into the profession, identify best practices for producing "profession-ready" educators, and recommend ways to elevate the education profession. The Secretary of Education is also directed to create an accessible online clearinghouse of State certification procedures and best practices.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-4423
Teacher and School Leader Quality Partnership Grants Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-9986
Teacher and School Leader Quality Partnership Grants Act
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 13, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-4423
    Teacher and School Leader Quality Partnership Grants Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-9986
    Teacher and School Leader Quality Partnership Grants Act


  • February 13, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 13, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Jennifer L. McClellan

Jennifer L. McClellan

Democratic Representative

Virginia

Cosponsors (2)
LaMonica McIver (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Education and Workforce Committee

Education

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Academic performance and assessmentsAdvisory bodiesCongressional oversightDisability and paralysisEducational technology and distance educationEducation of the disadvantagedEducation programs fundingElementary and secondary educationEmployee performanceEmployment and training programsForeign language and bilingual programsGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHigher educationLicensing and registrationsMinority employmentPerformance measurementPreschool educationSchool administrationSpecial educationStudent aid and college costsStudent recordsTeaching, teachers, curricula