Addressing Teacher Shortages Program

(a) Addressing Teacher Shortages Program established (1) Grants authorized (A) In general From amounts made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall establish an Addressing Teacher Shortages Program, through which the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to carry out activities described in subsection (d) in continuous consultation with the schools served by the eligible entity. (B) Planning grants Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Secretary may use funds made available under this section, and not required for purposes of subsection (c)(2), to award, on a competitive basis, 1-year planning grants to eligible entities that have not received grants under subparagraph (A), to assist with the costs of preparing and submitting an application under subsection (b). (2) Duration A grant awarded under paragraph (1)(A)— (A) shall be for a period of at least 5 years; and (B) may be renewed if the eligible entity demonstrates sufficient positive outcomes as described in section 5 and evidence of potential for continued success in achieving the goals of the initial grant. (3) Administration of program The authority to administer the Addressing Teacher Shortages Program under this Act may not be transferred to another Federal department or agency. (b) Application (1) In general An eligible entity desiring a grant under subsection (a)(1)(A) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (2) Contents An application submitted under paragraph (1) shall— (A) describe the selected activities described in subsection (d) for which assistance under this section is sought; (B) include a description of the evaluation plan required under section 5; (C) provide such additional assurances as the Secretary determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this Act; and (D) if seeking support for a teaching residency program, demonstrate that the institution of higher education that is a partner in the eligible entity is approved to prepare candidates for State teaching licensure or certification. (c) Award basis (1) In general The Secretary shall determine the minimum number, and the dollar amount, of grants provided under this section based on the amount made available under section 7. (2) Award basis In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall— (A) reserve 5 percent of the grant funds available to carry out this section for the Secretary of the Interior, to enable the Secretary of the Interior to carry out the purposes of this Act in schools supported by the Bureau of Indian Education; and (B) use, from the amount remaining after the application of subparagraph (A) and to the extent practicable based on the applications received under subsection (b)— (i) not less than 25 percent of the remaining amount to address teacher shortage challenges in local educational agencies serving rural areas; (ii) not less than 25 percent of the remaining amount to address shortages in high-need subject areas; and (iii) not less than 25 percent of the grant funds available to diversify the teaching workforce. (3) Priority (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), in evaluating applications for grants under subsection (a)(1)(A), the Secretary shall provide a competitive priority for applications proposing programs that will— (i) address the shortages described in clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (2)(B); and (ii) include partnerships with minority-serving institutions, such as historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 502 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a)), or Tribal Colleges and Universities (as defined in section 316 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1059c)). (B) Priority for teaching residency and Grow Your Own programs In reviewing applications for grants under subsection (a)(1)(A) that propose to cover costs associated with teaching residency programs or Grow Your Own programs, the Secretary shall provide a competitive priority to eligible entities that propose to carry out a program designed to prepare, for teaching licensure or certification, individuals who, as of the date of the individuals' application or acceptance into the program— (i) are employed by a local educational agency participating in the eligible entity as a paraprofessional, substitute teacher, or other employee of the school community; and (ii) have been so employed for not less than 3 years. (d) Use of funds A recipient of a grant under subsection (a)(1)(A) shall use grant funds for not less than one of the following activities: (1) Establishing or expanding teaching residency programs, which may include covering— (A) all or part of a resident’s tuition in exchange for a commitment to teach in the community for a minimum of 3 years; (B) resident salaries; (C) mentor teacher incentives; (D) facilities or infrastructure for a distance learning classroom within the school for onsite coursework and practical learning; and (E) any other purpose that the Secretary determines appropriate. (2) Establishing or expanding a teacher mentor program, which may include providing a training program or endorsement for school-based mentor teachers. (3) Establishing or expanding a Grow Your Own program. (4) Establishing or expanding a 2+2 program. (5) Establishing or expanding a program at an institution of higher education that encourages students majoring in STEM fields to take courses in education. (6) Establishing or expanding teacher preparation pathways in secondary schools. (7) Establishing or expanding other evidence-based strategies to increase teacher retention and support teachers, including— (A) increasing access to, and the effective use of, technology for the purpose of providing professional development to educators in rural or remote areas; (B) supporting teachers in fulfilling additional credit requirements needed for a teacher to— (i) become licensed or certified in additional subject areas; (ii) earn an additional qualification or licensure or certification endorsement that meets a specific need of the school in which the teacher is employed; (iii) earn additional qualifications to obtain National Board Certification; or (iv) qualify to teach Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual or concurrent enrollment programs; (C) providing opportunities for career advancement that offer increased pay for teachers who demonstrate expertise and take on additional leadership roles; (D) establishing induction programs for novice teachers during their first 2 years in the profession; (E) (i) providing tuition assistance, a stipend, or a housing allowance during student teaching to student teachers participating in the program who commit to teaching placements that would address any of the shortages described in clause (i) or (ii) of subsection (c)(2)(B); and (ii) if the eligible entity chooses to do so, and only after assisting student teachers under clause (i), providing a stipend or housing allowance to teachers in their first or second year of teaching who commit to teaching placements that would address any of the shortages described in clause (i) or (ii) of subsection (c)(2)(B); or (F) providing professional development for school administrators focusing on teacher leadership or teacher retention. (e) Matching funds (1) In general An eligible entity that receives a grant under subsection (a)(1)(A) shall provide, toward the cost of the activities assisted under the grant and from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to or greater than the amount of the grant, subject to paragraph (2). (2) Reduction or waiver of matching funds If the Secretary determines necessary based on the economic condition of the eligible entity, the Secretary may— (A) determine that a lesser matching amount than described in paragraph (1) is required, based on a sliding scale; or (B) waive the requirements of paragraph (1). (f) Designated personnel for under-Resourced applications The Secretary shall designate not less than 1 employee who, during and preceding the application period for a grant under this Act, will exclusively support under-resourced eligible entities with the preparation of grant applications under subsection (a)(1)(A).