Reaching English Learners Act

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award institutions of higher education grants for teaching English learners. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Reaching English Learners Act 2. Teaching English learners grant Part B of title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1031 6 Teaching English learners grant 259. Teaching English learners grant (a) Authorization of program The Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible partnerships to improve the preparation of teacher candidates to ensure that such teacher candidates possess the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively instruct English learners. (b) Duration of grants A grant under this section shall be awarded for a period of not more than 5 years. (c) Non-Federal share An eligible partnership that receives a grant under this section shall provide not less than 25 percent of the cost of the activities carried out with such grant from non-Federal sources, which may be provided in cash or in kind. (d) Uses of funds An eligible partnership that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant to— (1) develop or strengthen an undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, or master’s teacher preparation program by integrating strategies for teaching English learners into the education curriculum and academic content; (2) provide teacher candidates participating in a program under paragraph (1) with skills related to— (A) helping English learners— (i) achieve at high levels in prekindergarten programs, and elementary schools and secondary schools so such English learners can meet the challenging State academic standards adopted under section 1111(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(1) (ii) attain English proficiency; (B) appropriately identifying and meeting the specific learning needs of children with disabilities who are English learners; (C) recognizing and addressing the social and emotional needs of English learners; and (D) promoting parental, family, and community engagement in educational programs that serve English learners; (3) provide work-based learning opportunities for teacher candidates participating in the program; and (4) provide teacher candidates with the required coursework to qualify for an English-as-a-second-language endorsement or initial teaching credential, as recognized by the State of the eligible partnership. (e) Application An eligible partnership seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. Such application shall include— (1) a self-assessment by the eligible partnership of the existing teacher preparation program at the institution of higher education and the needs related to preparing teacher candidates to instruct English learners in the manner described in subsection (d)(2); and (2) a self-assessment by the eligible partnership of the personnel needs for teachers who instruct English learners at local, public prekindergarten programs, and elementary schools and secondary schools. (f) Evaluations (1) Report from eligible partnerships An eligible partnership receiving a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary the results of an evaluation conducted by the partnership at the end of the grant period to determine— (A) the effectiveness of teachers who completed a program under subsection (d)(1) with respect to instruction of English learners; and (B) the systemic impact of the activities carried out by such grant on how such partnership prepares teachers to provide instruction in prekindergarten programs, and elementary schools and secondary schools. (2) Report from the Secretary Not later than 180 days after the last day of the grant period under this section, the Secretary shall make available to the authorizing committees and the public— (A) the findings of the evaluations submitted under paragraph (1); and (B) information on best practices related to effective instruction of English learners. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Child with a disability The term child with a disability 20 U.S.C. 1401 (2) Eligible institution of higher education The term eligible institution of higher education (A) that leads to an undergraduate degree, a master's degree, or completion of a postbaccalaureate program required for teacher certification; and (B) the graduates of which meet the applicable State certification and licensure requirements, including any requirements for certification obtained through alternative routes to certification. (3) Eligible partnership The term eligible partnership (4) English learner The term English learner 20 U.S.C. 7801 (5) Work-based learning The term work-based learning .

Summary: Reaching English Learners Act This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a grant program for preparing teachers to effectively instruct English learners. Grants may be awarded for up to five years.