Reaching English Learners Act

Bill: 115-hr-4838
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2]
Introduced: 2018-01-18
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Community life and organization

Disability and paralysis

Education programs funding

Elementary and secondary education

Foreign language and bilingual programs

Higher education

Licensing and registrations

Performance measurement

Preschool education

Teaching, teachers, curricula
Latest action: action_date: 2018-04-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-01-18
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Reaching English Learners Act</b></p> <p>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.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4838 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 18, 2018 Mr. Langevin (for himself, Ms. Adams , Mr. Espaillat , and Mr. Grijalva ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce A BILL 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 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 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) ) by the State of the school attended by the English learners, which all children in the State are expected to meet; and (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 has the meaning given the term in section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1401 ). (2) Eligible institution of higher education The term eligible institution of higher education means an institution of higher education that has a program of study— (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 means an eligible institution of higher education in partnership with a high-need local educational agency. (4) English learner The term English learner has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801 ). (5) Work-based learning The term work-based learning means learning involving sustained interactions with teachers and English learners at public prekindergarten programs, or elementary schools or secondary schools, to the extent practicable, or simulated environments at the eligible institution of higher education involved, that foster in-depth, first-hand engagement with tasks required of a teacher providing instruction to English learners. .