Mandatory appropriations for the Teacher Quality Partnerships and Grow Your Own programs

(a) Teacher quality partnerships program appropriated In addition to amounts otherwise available, there are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the Secretary to carry out part A of title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1022 et seq.)— (1) for fiscal year 2026, $550,000,000; and (2) for each succeeding fiscal year, the amount appropriated under this subsection for the preceding fiscal year, increased by the annual adjustment percentage. (b) Priority In carrying out part A of title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1022 et seq.) with funds provided under subsection (a), the Secretary shall prioritize the use of funds to establish or expand high-quality teacher residencies or Grow Your Own programs as described in subsection (e) or (f) of section 202 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1022a). (c) Grow your own programs authorized Section 202 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1022a) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)(6)— (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking subsection (d) or (e) and inserting subsection (d), (e), or (f); and (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking subsection (f) or (g) and inserting subsection (g) or (h); (2) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking, or a combination of such programs and inserting or a Grow Your Own program under subsection (f), or a combination of the programs described in this paragraph; and (B) in paragraph (2), by striking subsection (f) and inserting subsection (g); (3) by redesignating subsections (f) through (k) as subsections (g) through (l), respectively; (4) by inserting after subsection (e) the following: (f) Partnership grants for the establishment of Grow Your Own programs (1) In general An eligible partnership that receives a grant to carry out a Grow Your Own program shall carry out an effective Grow Your Own program to address shortages of teachers in high-need subjects, fields, schools, and geographic areas, or shortages of school leaders in high-need schools, and to increase the diversity of qualified individuals entering the teacher, principal, or other school leader workforce. (2) Requirements of a Grow Your Own program In addition to carrying out each of the activities described in paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection (d), an eligible partnership carrying out a Grow Your Own program under this subsection shall— (A) provide opportunities for candidates to practice and develop teaching or school leadership skills that integrate knowledge from education coursework through, at a minimum, a year-long, school-based, paid clinical experience in which candidates teach or lead alongside an expert mentor teacher or school leader, who is the teacher or school leader of record, in the same local educational agency in which the candidates expect to work; (B) provide academic and nonacademic wrap-around supports and services, including advising, tutoring, test preparation, and financial assistance (which may include scholarships or stipends), to candidates as they— (i) complete an associate degree program (if such program is in furtherance of a baccalaureate degree), baccalaureate degree program, or master’s degree program, as applicable; (ii) enter and complete teacher or school leadership preparation programs; (iii) access and complete State licensure or certification examinations; and (iv) engage in school-based clinical placements described in subparagraph (A); (C) include efforts to recruit individuals with experience in high-need subjects or fields who are not certified to teach or lead, with a specific focus on recruiting individuals— (i) who are other staff employed by local educational agencies, including paraprofessionals; (ii) who are enrolled in dual or concurrent enrollment programs or early college high school programs and studying to become teachers; (iii) from groups or populations that are underrepresented; and (iv) who live in and come from the communities the schools serve; and (D) require candidates to complete all State requirements to become fully certified or licensed.; and (5) in subsection (h), as redesignated by paragraph (3), by striking the activities described in subsection (d) or (e), or both and inserting activities described in subsection (d), (e), or (f).