f 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
OCT -3 P5 :31 
SEN41Ji\ 
S. No. .l/9a 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 11, Section 17, provides: 
The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, 
culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, 
and promote total. human liberation and development. 
Low salaries and the declining status of the teaching profession have reduced the quantity . 
and quality of individuals entering the teaching profession. The government must expend efforts 
to address the existing and impending teaching shortage in the country. Bringing talented 
individuals into the teaching profession will greatly enhance the quality of our education, 
achieving success in adding the traditional education of students. 
Hence, this bill seeks to establish national teacher academies in order to encourage and 
facilitate entry into the teaching profession.' 
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I)If . MIRIAM D FfSOR S 
• This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 
1 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
OCT -3 P5 :31 
SENATE 
S. No. 
1798 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
ESTABLISHING NATIONAL TEACHER ACADEMIES IN ORDER TO 
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ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE ENTRY INTO THE TEACHING PROFESSION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Teaching Profession Act." 
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SECTION 2. Establishment afNational Teacher Academies. -
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(A) 
Grants. - The Secretary of Education, hereafter referred to as the "Secretary", is 
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authorized, in accordance with the provisions of this part, to make grants to eligible recipients to 
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establish and operate national leader academies. 
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(B) 
Subject Areas. - One (I) national teacher academy shall be established in each of 
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the following subject areas commonly taught in elementary and secondary schools: 
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(1) 
Basic skills and literacy instruction; 
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(2) 
Civics and government; 
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(3) 
National Writing Project; 
14 
(4) 
Mathematics; 
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(5) 
Foreign languages; 
16 
(6) 
History, geography and sociology; 
17 
(7) 
Economics; 
18 
(8) 
Life sciences; 
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(9) 
Physical sciences, and 
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(10) 
The arts, including art, music, and the performing arts. 
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(C) 
Selection of Academy Staff - Academy staff shall be selected from the most 
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accomplished and prominent scholars in the relevant fields of study and in the methodologies 
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that prepare persons to teach in such fields of study. 
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(D) 
Duration of Grant. - Each grant to establish and operate a national teacher 
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academy shall before be for a period of five (5) years, and is renewable. 
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(E) 
Competitive Grant Awards. - The Secretary shall award grants on the basis of a 
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competitive bidding process. 
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(F) 
Special Consideration. - In awarding grants under this part the Secretary shaH 
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give special consideration to eligible recipients that have demonstrated effectiveness in-
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establishing and administering a national network of individuals who assist in teacher training 
11 
and in-service programs in the subject areas listed in this section. 
12 
SECTION 3. Eligible Recipients. -
13 
(A) 
In General. -For the purposes of this part, the term "eligible recipient" means-
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15 
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(B) 
(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
An institution of higher education; 
A 
private 
non-profit 
educational 
organization 
of demonstrated 
effectiveness; or 
A combination of the institutions or organizations set forth in the 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of this paragraph. 
Expertise Requirements. - The Secretary shall only award grants to eligible 
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applicants who have demonstrated expertise in the subject area of the national teaching academy 
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to be established and operated; and in-service training ofteachers. 
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SECTION 4. Use of Funds. - Funds provided pursuant to this part shall be used to-· 
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(A) 
Provide in-service training programs for teachers and administrators including-
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25 
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(1) 
The study of subject matter, methodology, and teacher education, 
including effective strategies for teaching all students in mixed-ability 
classrooms; 
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(B) 
(2) 
(3) 
The use of the most recent applied research findings concerning education 
and the classroom; and 
Integrating materials from different disciplines into classroom instruction, 
especially for elementary school teachers; 
Conduct at least one (1) three (3)-week summer institute each year; 
6 
(C) 
Train the leadership teams to provide in-service training for teachers in the 
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professional development schools established and 
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10 
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(D) 
Provide support services to such professional development schools including-
(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
The establishment of a national network of individuals to assist in teacher 
education programs in professional development schools; 
Consulting assistance in the design and implementation of teacher 
education; and 
Monthly newsletters or other methods of communicating useful 
14 
information. 
15 
Not more than ten per centum (l 0%) of the amount of finds received under this part may 
16 
use by grant recipients for administrative costs. 
17 
SECTION 5. Summer Institute Participants. -
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Each year a national academy conducts a summer institute to provide teacher training 
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programs to teachers and school administrators, participants from each congressional district 
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shall include the leadership team described in Section 13. 
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SECTION 6. Application.-
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(A) 
Application. - Each eligible recipient desiring a grant under this part shaH submit 
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an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may reasonably 
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require. 
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(B) 
Contents. - Each application submitted pursuant to paragraph (A) shall-
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3 
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8 
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(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
Describe the activities, services, and programs for which assistance is 
sought; 
Describe how at least seventy per centum (70%) of the institute's time will 
be devoted to the development of methods of instruction and the planning 
of in service training programs to be conducted by the professional 
development academics' established in this Act; and 
Provide such additional assurances or information as the Secretary may 
reasonably require. 
SECTION 7. Special rule: National Writing Project. -
(A) 
Authorization. - From amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of Section 7 
11 
for the establishment and operation of the national teacher academy, the Secretary is authorized 
12 
to award a grant to the National Writing Project, hereafter referred to as the "grantee", a non-
13 
profit educational organization which has as its primary purpose the improvement of the quality 
14 
of student writing as a learning process in the classrooms, to establish and operate such national 
15 
teacher academy. 
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(8) 
Authorized Activities. - The National Writing Projec,t shall use the grant awarded 
17 
pursuant to paragraph (A) to -
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(C) 
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that-
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(1) 
Support and promote the establishment of teacher training programs, 
including the dissemination of effective practices and research findings 
regarding the teaching of writing and administrative activities; 
(2) 
Support classroom research on effective teaching practice and to 
document student performance; and 
(3) 
Pay the share ofthe cost of such programs. 
Grant Requirements, - The grant awarded pursuant to paragraph (A) shall require 
(1) 
The grantee enter into contracts with institutions of higher education or 
other non-profit educational providers, hereinafter referred to as 
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(D) 
(2) 
(3) 
"contractors", under which the contractors will agree to establish, operate, 
and provide share of the cost of teacher training programs in effective 
approaches and processes for the teaching of writing; 
Funds made available by the Secretary to the grantee pursuant to the grant 
awarded under this section will be used to pay the share of the cost of 
establishing and operating teacher training programs in effective 
approaches and processes for the teaching of writing; 
The grantee will meet such other conditions and standards as the Secretary 
determines to be necessary to assure compliance with the provisions of 
this section and will provide such technical assistance as may be necessary 
to carry out the provisions of this section. 
Teacher Training Programs. - The teacher training programs authorized in 
13 
paragraph (A) shall -
14 
(1) 
Be conducted during the school year and during the summer months; 
15 
(2) 
Train teachers who teach grades kindergarten through college; 
16 
(3) 
Select teachers who teach to become members of a National Writing 
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(E) 
(4) 
Project teacher network whose members will conduct writing workshops 
for other teachers I the area served by each National Writing Project site; 
and 
Encourage teachers from all disciplines to participate in such teacher 
training programs. 
Classroom Teacher Grants. - The National Writing Project may reserve an 
23 
amount not to exceed five per centum (5%) of the amount appropriated pursuant to the authority 
24 
of Section 7 for the establishment and operation of the national teacher academy to make grants, 
25 
on a competitive basis, to elementary and secondary school teachers to enable such teachers to-
26 
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(1) 
(2) 
Conduct classroom research; 
Publish models of student writing; 
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(F) 
(3) 
Conduct research regarding effective practices to improve the teaching of 
writing; and 
(4) 
Conduct other activities to improve the teaching and uses of writing. 
National Advisory Board. -The National Writing Project shall establish and 
5 
operate a National Advisory Board. The National Advisory Board shall -
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(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
Advise the National Writing Project on national issues related to student 
writing and the teaching of writing; 
Review the activities and programs ofthe National Writing Project; and 
Support the continued development ofthe National Writing Project. 
10 
SECTION 8. Authorization of Appropriations. - There are authorized to be appropriated 
11 
such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
12 
SECTION 9. Professional Development Schools. - From amounts appropriated under this 
13 
Act, the Secretary, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education, hereafter referred 
14 
to as the "Commission", shall allot grants to selected State colleges or universities, in order to 
15 
establish and operate professional development schools. 
16 
SECTION 10. Establishment and Creation of Professional Development Schools. -
17 
(A) 
Duration of Grant. - Each grant provided pursuant to this part to establish and 
18 
operate a professional school shall be for a period of five (5) years, and is renewable. 
19 
(B) 
Grant Awards. - Each grant provided pursuant to this section shall be awarded on 
20 
the basis of a competitive bidding process, and to an eligible recipient selected on the basis of 
21 
need, as evidenced by measures such as the rate of teacher attrition and the proportion of the 
22 
student body at risk of educational failure. 
23 
SECTION 11. Application. -
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-------------------------------
1 
(A) 
Application. - Each eligible recipient wishing to receive a grant under this part 
2 
shall submit an application to the commission, in such manner, and containing such information, 
3 
as the commission shall reasonably require. 
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(B) 
Contents. - Each application submitted pursuant to paragraph (A) shall-
(1) 
Describe the activities, services, and programs for which assistance is 
sought; 
(2) 
Provide assurances that all public and private elementary and secondary 
school teachers in the area served by the professional development school 
will be eligible to palticipate in the training program; 
(3) 
Contain a description of where the professional development programs 
will be located and a justification for selecting the geographic location for 
each program; 
(4) 
Provide assurances that professional development programs will be 
conducted by teachers of demonstrated excellence, including teachers who 
have participated in training programs at the National Teacher Academies; 
(5) 
Provide assurances that professional development programs will be 
developed and conducted with the participation of faculty from institutions 
of higher education or private non-profit organizations of demonstrated 
effectiveness, and will be conducted in both academic course content and 
methods of instruction and with the participation of the schools' teachers 
and administrators; 
(6) 
Contain a description of how the professional development of schools' 
activities will be coordinated with other' current in-service training 
activities in the region; 
(7) 
Describe the provisions which will be made to allow individuals release 
time from their teaching or administrative responsibilities to participate in 
professional development school activities; 
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2 
3 
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(8) 
(9) 
Contain a description of how the professional development school's 
activities will help teachers teach all students in mixed-ability classrooms; 
and 
Where applicable, describe how teachers and administrators from the 
5 
professional development school will be involved in the teacher training 
6 
programs at institutions of higher education. 
7 
SECTION 12. Use of Funds. - Grants awarded to eligible recipients pursuant to this part 
8 
shall be used in schools best able to provide services to teachers and administrators of at risk 
9 
students to -
10 
(A) 
Provide professional development programs for teachers which upgrade and 
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strengthen knowledge of academic course content, particularly in the following subject areas: 
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(B) 
(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 
(6) 
(7) 
(8) 
(9) 
Mathematics; 
English, reading, and language arts; 
Civics and government; 
Basic skills and literacy instruction; 
The arts, including art, music and the performing arts; 
History, geography and sociology; 
Economics; 
Life sciences; imd 
Physical sciences. 
Improve methods of instruction in content areas to-
(1) 
(2) 
Increase. the preparedness of all classroom teachers for the participation of 
particular populations of students, such as disadvantaged students,. 
students with disabilities, students who are limited English proficient, and 
students from diverse cultural backgrounds, in the classroom management 
skills; 
Improve teaching and classroom management skills; 
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(C) 
(3) 
(4) 
Provide training in new instructional techniques, methods, and practices 
supported by educational research findings, including instructional 
techniques, methods and practices; and 
Improve teacher training in courses of study which combine one or more 
related subject areas; 
Where appropriate, provide professional development programs for participants in 
7 
school-based management programs; 
8 
(D) 
Encourage teacher collaboration, especially among teachers of different subjects, 
9 
including vocational education, physical education, and other· specialties not described in 
10 
paragraph (A); 
11 
(E) 
Involve experienced teachers in the training and assessment or novice teachers; 
12 
(F) 
Encourage participation in activities of a network of professional development of 
13 
their children; 
14 
(0) 
Provide outreach to parents and greater involvement of parents in the education of 
15 
their children; and 
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(H) 
Pay the costs of release time, stipends, college or university credit, curricular 
17 
materials, and other necessary expenditures. 
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SECTION 13. Relationship with Other Programs Funded under this Act. - If a national 
19 
academy funded under this Act serves teachers within the jurisdiction of a professional 
20 
development school assisted under this part, each such professional development school shall 
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annually conduct an in-service training program in each of the course content area for which 
22 
teachers receive training at such national academy. Such program shall-
23 
(A) 
Include individuals who have participated in the activities, programs, and services 
24 
of the appropriate national academy; 
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(B) 
Contain both the academic course and methods of instruction learned at such 
26 
national academy; 
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(C) 
Be available to all elementary and secondary teachers in the congressional district 
2 
who teach the relevant subject matter; and 
3 
(D) 
Provide at least fifty (50) teachers at least thirty (30) hours of high quality 
4 
instructions per year. 
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SECTION 14. Leadership Teams. -
6 
(A) 
Leadership Teams. -Each steering committee established pursuant to section 14 
7 
shall select a three-person (3) leadership team for each national teacher academy assisted under 
8 
part A ofthis title. 
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(B) 
Composition. -Each leadership team shall be composed of-
(I) 
(2) 
(3) 
One (1) administrator with authority to design and conduct in-service 
training programs; 
One (1) elementary school teacher; and 
One (I) secondary school teacher. 
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(C) 
Duties. -Each leadership shall-
15 
16 
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(I) 
(2) 
Attend the appropriate subject area summer institute at the appropriate 
national teacher academy; and 
Assist in the development and operation of professional development 
schools. 
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(D) 
Information and Coordination. - Each leadership team serving a professional 
20 
development school shall exchange information and coordinate efforts on the establishment of 
21 
the professional development programs. 
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SECTION 15. Steering Committee. -
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(A) 
Establishment. - Each eligible recipient desiring a grant under this part shall also 
24 
establish a ten (10) member steering committee. 
25 
(B) 
Composition and Representation. - At least fifty per centum (50%) of the 
26 
membership of each steering committee shall be classroom teachers, selected by, and 
10 


1 
representative of, teacher organizations, if any. The composition of each steering committee shall 
2 
be broadly representative of the elementary and secondary schools and the local educational 
3 
agencies served by the professional development school. 
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(C) 
Function. - Each steering committee shall annually select the leadership teams, in 
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accordance with section 3. 
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SECTION 16. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
7 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
8 
valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 17. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
10 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
11 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
12 
SECTION 18. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
13 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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