Consider Teachers Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-848
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Introduced: 2021-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Department of Education
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Interest, dividends, interest rates
National and community service
Personnel records
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: 

Consider Teachers Act
 
of 2021

 
This bill revises the service obligation verification process for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program. 
 
For example, the bill provides a process for the Department of Education to reconsider and reverse the conversion of a TEACH grant to a loan. The bill also establishes certain program flexibilities with respect to the service obligations of teachers affected by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.

action_date: 2021-04-27
text: 

Consider Teachers Act
 
of 2021

 
This bill revises the service obligation verification process for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program. 
 
For example, the bill provides a process for the Department of Education to reconsider and reverse the conversion of a TEACH grant to a loan. The bill also establishes certain program flexibilities with respect to the service obligations of teachers affected by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.

action_date: 2021-09-28
text: 

Consider Teachers Act
 
of 2021

 
This bill revises the service obligation verification process for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program. The TEACH program awards grants to postsecondary students who commit to teaching for four years in high-need subjects in low-income schools. In addition, the bill establishes certain program flexibilities with respect to the service obligations of teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Specifically, the bill provides a process for the Department of Education (ED) to reconsider and reverse the conversion of a TEACH grant to a loan. Under current program terms, TEACH grants are converted into loan obligations if service requirements are not met.
 
In addition, the bill directs ED to notify TEACH grant recipients of the requirements for submitting employment certifications. ED must also provide an alternative to certification. 
 
ED must maintain and annually update a list of qualifying schools and high-need fields.
 
The bill also provides certain program flexibilities with respect to the service obligations of teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the bill (1) extends the service obligation window for TEACH grants, and (2) requires ED to consider teaching service that is interrupted as a result of a qualifying emergency as full-time service for purposes of Federal Perkins Loans.

action_date: 2021-10-13
text: 

Consider Teachers Act
 
of 2021

 
This bill revises the service obligation verification process for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program. The TEACH program awards grants to postsecondary students who commit to teaching for four years in high-need subjects in low-income schools. In addition, the bill establishes certain program flexibilities with respect to the service obligations of teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Specifically, the bill provides a process for the Department of Education (ED) to reconsider and reverse the conversion of a TEACH grant to a loan. Under current program terms, TEACH grants are converted into loan obligations if service requirements are not met.
 
In addition, the bill directs ED to notify TEACH grant recipients of the requirements for submitting employment certifications. ED must also provide an alternative to certification. 
 
ED must maintain and annually update a list of qualifying schools and high-need fields.
 
The bill also provides certain program flexibilities with respect to the service obligations of teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the bill (1) extends the service obligation window for TEACH grants, and (2) requires ED to consider teaching service that is interrupted as a result of a qualifying emergency as full-time service for purposes of Federal Perkins Loans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-13
text: Became Public Law No: 117-49.
action_date: 2021-10-13
text: Became Public Law No: 117-49.
action_date: 2021-10-13
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2021-10-13
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2021-09-28
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2021-09-28
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 - 16 (Roll no. 302). (text: CR 7/26/2021 H3851-3852)
action_date: 2021-09-28
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 - 16 (Roll no. 302).(text: CR 7/26/2021 H3851-3852)
action_date: 2021-09-28
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5496)
action_date: 2021-07-26
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2021-07-26
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 848.
action_date: 2021-07-26
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3851-3854)
action_date: 2021-07-26
text: Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2021-04-28
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2021-04-28
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2021-04-28
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S2246-2247)
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S2246-2247)
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2246-2247)
action_date: 2021-04-27
text: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S2246-2247)
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 117-49