Authority for pilot program for certain military spouses to become special education teachers in DODEA schools

(a) Authority The Secretary of Defense may carry out a pilot program under which certain military spouses may become special education teachers in schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity. (b) Eligibility A military spouse eligible to participate in such a pilot program is a military spouse who— (1) is eligible for assistance under section 1784a of title 10, United States Code; and (2) has a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an institution of higher education. (c) Assistance Under such a pilot program, the Secretary shall provide assistance under section 1784a of title 10, United States Code, to a participating military spouse to seek a certification or other credential as a special education teacher in the State in which the military spouse resides. (d) Service obligation As a condition of receiving assistance under subsection (c), a military spouse who participates in such a pilot program shall agree to serve as a special education teacher in a school operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity for a period of three years. (e) State agreements The Secretary may seek to enter into an agreement with a State government (or licensing body sanctioned by a State government) to expedite certification described in subsection (c). (f) Report Not later than one year before the termination under subsection (g) of the authority to carry out a pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report regarding such pilot program. Such report shall include the recommendation of the Secretary whether such authority should be extended or made permanent. (g) Termination The authority under this section shall terminate five years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (h) Definitions In this section: (1) The term appropriate congressional committee means the following: (A) The Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives. (B) The Committee on Armed Services of the Senate. (C) The Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives. (2) The term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002). (3) The term special education teacher has the meaning given such term in section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003).