Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 17, provides: 
The State shall give priority to education; science and technology, arts, 
cdture, 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 aiding the traditional education of students. 
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Hence, this bill seeks to establish national teacher ‘academies in order to encourage and 
facilitate entry into the teaching profession. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF TKE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHRVG NATIONAL TEACHER ACADEMIES IN ORDER TO 
ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE ENTRY INTO THE TEACHING 
PROFESSION 
Be it enacted by the Senate andHouse of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short title. -This 
Act shall be known as the "Teaching Profession Act." 
SECTION 2. Program established- 
(1) lN GENERAL - 
The Secretary is authorized, in accordance with the provisions of this 
part, to make grants to eligible recipients to establish and operate national teacher academies. 
(2) SUBJECT AREAS AND STAFF- 
(1) One (1) national teacher academy shall be 
established in each of the following subject areas commonly taught in elementary and secondary 
schools: 
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(A) basic skills and literacy instruction; 
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(B) civics and gov&ment; 
(C) National Writing Project; 
(D) mathematics; 
(E) foreign languages; 
(F) history, geography and sociology; 
(G) economics; 
(H) life sciences; 
(I) physical sciences, and 
(J) the arts, including art, music, and the performing arts. 
(3) Academy staff shall be selected from the most accomplished and prominent'scholars in 
the relevant fields of study and in the methodologies that prepare persons to teach in such fields of 
study. 


(4) DURATION OF GRANT - 
Each grant to establish and operate a national teacher 
academy shall be for a period of five (5) years, and is renewable. 
(5) COMPETITIVE GRANT AWARDS -The 
Secretaty shall award grants on the basis of 
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a competitive bidding process, 
(6) SPECIAL CONSIDERATION - 
In awarding grants under this part the Secretaly shall 
give special consideration to eligible recipients that have demonstrated effectiveness iniestablishing 
and administering a national network of individuals who assist in teacher training and in-service 
programs in the subject areas listed in this section. 
SECTION 3. Eligible recipients - 
(a) IN GENERAGFor the purposes of this part, the term 'eligible recipient' means - 
(A) provide an institution of higher education; 
(B) a private nonprofit educational organization of demonstrated effectiveness; or 
(C) a combination of the institutions or organizations set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) 
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of this paragraph. 
(2) EXPERTISE REQUIREMENTS - 
The S'ecretary shall only award grants to eligible 
applicants who have demonstrated expertise in the - 
(A) subject area of the national teaching academy to be established and operated; and 
(2) in-service training of teachers. 
'SECTION 4. Use of&nds. - 
(1) IN GENERAL - 
eunds provided pursuant to this part shall be nsed to - 
(A) provide in-service training programs for teachers and administrators including - 
(i) the study of subject matter, methodology, and teacher education, including 
effective strategies for teaching all students in mixed-ability classrooms; 
(ii) the use of the most recent applied research findings concerning education and the 
classroom; and 
(iii) integrating materials from different disciplines into classroom instruction, 
especially for elementary school teachers; 
(B) conduct at least one (1) 3-week summer institute each year; 


(C) train the leadership teams to provide in-service training for teachers in the 
professional development schools established pursuant to part B of this title; and 
(D) provide support services to such professional development schools including - 
(i) the establishment of a national network of individuals to assist in teacher education 
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programs in professional development schools; 
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, (ii) consulting assistance in the design and implementation of teacher education; and 
(iii) monthly newsletters or other methods of communicating useful information. 
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS -Not 
more than ten (10) percent (10%) of the amount of 
funds received under this part may be used by grant recipients, for administrative costs. 
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SECTION 5. Summer institute participants. - 
Each year a national academy conducts a summer1 institute to provide teacher training 
programs to teachers and school administrators, participants from each congressional district shall 
include the leadership team described in section 13. 
SECTION 6. Application. - 
(I) APPLICATION - 
Each eligible recipient desiring a grant under this part shall 
submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may 
reasonably require. 
(2) CONTENTS -Each 
application submitted pursuant to subsection (1) shall - 
(A) describe the activities, services, and programs for which assistance is sought; 
(B) describe how at least 70 percent of the institute's time will be devoted to basic 
course content relevant to the particular subject field and necessary for improving the quality 
of public and private elementary schools; 
(C) describe how not more than 30 percent of the institute's time will be devoted to 
the development of methods of instmction and the planning of in-service training programs to 
be conducted by the professional development academics established in this Act; and 
(D) provide such additional assurances or information as the Secretary may 
reasonably require. 


SECTION I. Special rule: National Writing Project. - 
(1) AUTHORIZATION - 
(A) From amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority 
of Section 7 for the establishment and operation of the national teacher academy, the 
Secretary is authorized to award a grant to the National Writing Project 'fiereafter in this 
section referred to as the 'grantee'), a non-profit educational organization which has as its 
primary purpose the improvement of the quality of student writing as a learning process in the 
classrooms, to establish and pperate such national teacher academy. 
(B) The National Writing Project shall use the grant awarded pursuant to paragraph 
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(A) to - 
(i) support k d  promote the establishment of teacher training programs, 
including the dissemination of effective practices and research findings regarding the 
teaching of writing and administrative activities; 
(ii) support classroom research on effective teaching practice and to 
document student performance; and 
(iii) pay the share of the cost of such programs. 
(2) GRANT REQUIREMENTS - The grant awarded pursuant to subsection (1) shall 
require that - 
(A) the grantee enter into contracts with institutions of higher education or other non- 
profit educational providers (hereinafter referred to as '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; 
(B) 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 as provided in paragraph (A); and these funds which 
shall be appropriated in behalf of the state college or university concerned shall be primarily 
used for carrying out the programs specified and designed under this Act. 
(C) , the grantee will meet such other conditions and standards as the Secretary 
determines to be necessaq 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. 
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(3) TEACHER TFWNING PROGRAMS - 
The teacher training programs authorized in 
subsection (1) shall - 
(A) be conducted during the school year and during the summer months; 
(B) train teachers who teach grades kindergarten through college; 
(C) select teachers to become members of a National Writing Project teacher network 
whose members will conduct writing workshops for other teachers in the area served by each 
National Writing Project site; and 
(D) encourage teachers from all disciplines to participate in such teacher training 
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programs. 
(4) CLASSROOM TEACJ@R GRANTS - 
(A) The National Writing Project may reserve 
an amount not to exceed five (5) percent (5%) of the amount appropriated pursuant to the authority of 
section 7 for the establishment and operation of the national teacher academy to make grants, on a 
competitive basis, to elementary and secondary school teachers to enable such teachers to - 
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i. 
conduct classroom research; 
ii. publish models of student writing; 
iii. conduct research regarding effective practices to improve the teaching of writing; 
and 
iv. conduct other activities to improve the,teaching and uses of writing. 
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(5) NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD - 
(A) The National Writing Project shall establish 
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and operate a National Advisory Board. 
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(B) The National Advisory Board established pursuant:to paragraph (1) shall - . ! 
i. 
advise the National Writing Project on national issues related to student writing 
and the teaching of writing; 
ii. review the activities and programs of the National Writing Project; and 
iii. support the continued development of the National Writing Project. 
SECTION 8. Authorization of appropriations. - 
There are authorized to be appropriated 
such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year to carry out the provisions of this part. 
SECTION 9. Professional development schools - 
From amounts appropriated under this 
Act, the Secretary, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (hereinafter referred to 
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as the “commission”), shall allot to selected State colleges or universities, in order to establish and 
operate professional development schools. 
SECTION 10. Program authorized. - 
(1) DURATION OF GRANT - 
Each grant provided’ pursuant to this part to establish and 
operate a professional development schoo1,shall be for a period of five (5) yews, and is renewable. 
(2) GRANT AWARDS - 
Each grant provided pursuant to this section shall be awarded on 
the basis of a competitive bidding process, and to an eligible recipient selected on the basis of need, 
as evidenced by measures such as the ratel of teacher attrition and the proportion of the student body 
at risk of educational failure. 
SECTION 11. Application. - 
(1) APPLICATION 
Each, eligible recipient wishing to receive a grant under this 
part shall submit an application to the commission, in such manner, and containing such 
information, as the commission shall reasonably require. 
(2) CONTENTS -Each 
application submitted pursuant to subsection (1) shall - 
(A) describe the activities, services, and programs for which assistance is 
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sought; 
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(B) provide assurances that all public’and private elementary and secondary 
school teachers in the area, served by-the1 professional development school will be 
eligible to participate in the training programs; 
(C) contain a description of where the professional development programs 
will be located and a justification for selecting the geographic location for each 
program; 
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(D) provide assurances that professional development programs will be 
conducted by teachers of demonstrated excellence, including teachers .
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who, have 
participated in training programs at the National Teacher Academies; 
(E) 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; 
(F) contain a description of how the professional development of schools’ 
activities will be coordinated with other current in-service training activities in the 
region; 
(G) 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; 
(H) contain a description of how the professional development school’s 
activities will help teachers teach all students in mixed-ability classrooms; and 
(I) where applicable, describe how teachers and administrators from the 
professional development school will be involved in the teacher training programs at 
institutions of higher education. 
SECTION 12. Use offinds 
(1) IN GENERAL 4 
Grants awarded to eligible recipients pursuant to this part shall 
be used in a school or schools best able to provide services to teachers and administrators of 
at risk students to - 
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(A) provide professional development ‘programs for teachers which - 
(i) upgrade and strengthen knowledge of academic course content, 
particularly in the following subject areas: 
(a) Mathematics; 
(b) English, reading, and language arts; 
(c) Civics and government; 
(d) Basic skills and literacy instruction; 
(e) The arts, including art, music and the performing arts; 
(0 History, geography apd sociology; 
(g) Economics; 
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(h) ’ Life sciences; and 
(i) Physical sciences. 
(ii) improve methods of instruction in content areas to - 


(a) 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 
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cultural backgrounds, in the classrooms of such teachers; 
(b) improve teaching and classroom management skills; 
(c) provide training in new instructional techniques, methods, and practices 
supported by educational research findings, including instructional techniques, 
methods and practices; and 
(d) improve teacher training in courses of study which combine one or more 
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related subject areas; 
(iii) where appropriate, provide professional development programs for participants 
in school-based management programs; 
(iv) encourage teacher collaboration, especially among teachers of different subjects, 
including vocational education, physical education, and other specialties not described in 
subparagraph (i); 
(v) involve experienced teachers in the training and assessment of novice teachers; 
(vi) encourage participation in activities of a network of professional development 
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schools; and 
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(vii) provide outreach to parents and greater involvement of parents in the education 
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of their children; and 
(B) pay the costs of release time, stipends, college or university credit, 
curricular materials, and other necessary expenditures. 
SECTION 13. Relationship with otherprogramsfinded under this Act. - 
If a national academy funded under this Act serves teachers within the jurisdiction of a 
professional development school assisted under this part, each such professional development school 
shall annually conduct an in-service training program in each of the course content area for which 
teachers receive training at such national academy. Such program shall - 
(1) include individuals who have participated in the activities, programs, and services 
of the appropriate national academy; 


(2) contain both the academic course content and methods of instruction learned at 
such national academy; 
(3) be available to all elementary and secondary teachers in the congressional district 
who teach the relevant subject matter; and 
(4) provide at least 50 teachers at least 30 hours of high quality instructions per year. 
SECTION 14. Leadership teams. - 
(1) IN GENERAL - 
Each steering committee established pursuant to 
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shall select a 3 person leadership team for each national teacher academy assisted under part 
A of this title. 
(2) COMPOSITION-Each 
leadership team shall be composed of - 
(A) One (1) administrator with authority to design and conduct in-service 
training programs; 
(B) one (1) elementary school teacher; and 
(C) one (1) secondary school teacher. 
(3) DUTIES - Each leadership shall - 
(A) Attend the appropriate subject area summer institute at the appropriate 
national teacher academy; and 
(B) Assist in the development and operation of professional development 
schools. 
(4) INFORMATION AND COORDINATION - Each leadership team serving a 
professional development school shall exchange information and coordinate efforts on the 
establishment of the professional development programs. 
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SECTION 15. Steering Committee. - 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT - Each eligible recipient desiring a grant under this part shall also 
establish a ten (10) member steering committee. 
(2) COMPOSITION AND REPRESENTATION - (A) At least 50 percent (50%) of the 
membership of each steering committee hall be classroom teachers, selected by, and representative of, 
teacher organizations, if any. 


(B) The composition of each steeping committee shall be broadly representative of the 
elementary and secondary schools and the local educational agencies served by the professional 
development school. 
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(3) FUNCTION - 
Each steering committee shall annually select the leadership teams in 
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accordance with section 13. 
SECTION 16. Separability Clause. - 
If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid 
and subsisting. 
SECTION 17. Repeazing Clause. - 
Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 18. Effectivity Clause. - 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
.publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
Fn: 1610