Definitions

In this Act: (1) General ESEA definitions The terms dual or concurrent enrollment program, elementary school, local educational agency, and secondary school have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). (2) 2+2 program The term 2+2 program means a partnership between a junior or community college, as defined in section 312 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058), and a 4-year degree-granting institution of higher education in which teacher candidates can begin teacher preparation in the junior or community college and fully transfer their credits to the 4-year institution of higher education, where the students complete their teacher preparation. (3) Certified teacher The term certified teacher means an individual who possesses a document certifying that the individual has met the full requirements of a State for employment as a teacher in the public schools of that State. (4) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means a local educational agency (including an entity described in subparagraph (B), (C), (D), or (E) of section 8101(30) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(30))) or a consortium of such agencies. (5) Grow your own program The term Grow Your Own program means a program that works to recruit graduates of local schools and members of the school’s community into the teaching profession of a school. (6) Historically Black college or university The term historically Black college or university has the meaning given the term part B institution under section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061). (7) Induction program The term induction program has the meaning given the term in section 200(14) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1021(14)), except that— (A) the high-quality and structured teacher mentoring component described in subparagraph (A) of such section shall be led by a qualified mentor who teaches in the same or similar field, grade, or subject as the mentee; (B) the opportunities for new teachers described in subparagraph (D) of such section shall include opportunities for observation of, and feedback from, teacher mentors, faculty, and researchers; (C) the faculty included in the program, as described in subparagraph (F) of such section, shall also model personalized instruction; (D) the interdisciplinary collaboration described in subparagraph (G) of such section shall include preparation regarding the development, analysis, and use of formative, interim, and summative assessments; (E) the assistance provided under subparagraph (H) of such section with respect to student achievement data shall also include assistance with understanding classroom engagement data (such as attendance and discipline rates and other measures of school climate), and with understanding the applicability of both types of data to classroom instruction and design; and (F) the observation and evaluation opportunities under subparagraph (I) of such section shall be conducted in order to inform efforts to support new teachers and improve their practice. (8) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). (9) Qualified mentor teacher The term qualified mentor teacher means an educator who— (A) meets a minimum set of qualification standards based in part on State-determined measures of teacher effectiveness; and (B) is selected by the grantee to— (i) host a teacher candidate mentee during clinical practice or residency in the classroom of the educator during a teacher preparation program, or provide induction support to a newly certified teacher mentee during the first 2 years of employment after completion of a teacher preparation program (including clinical practice); (ii) provide support for a teacher candidate mentee during clinical practice or a teacher residency program, or a beginning teacher mentee during an induction program, including information on the resources and support based at the school and the local educational agency serving the school; (iii) establish a role model relationship for a mentee; (iv) observe the mentee’s teaching methods in classroom settings and be observed modeling best practices; (v) provide mentoring to a mentee teaching in the same field, grade, or subject; and (vi) promote empirically based practice of, and scientifically valid research on, where applicable— (I) teaching and learning; (II) assessment of student learning; (III) the development of teaching skills through the use of instructional and behavioral interventions; and (IV) the improvement of the capacity of the mentees to create inclusive learning environments and measurably advance student learning among diverse learners. (10) Rural area The term rural area has the meaning given the term in section 343(a)(13)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(A)). (11) Rural school district The term rural school district means a school district that serves one or more schools located in a rural area. (12) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Education. (13) STEM The term STEM means science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. (14) Teaching residency program The term teaching residency program has the meaning given the term in section 200 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1021), except that such term shall not include the requirement that the prospective teacher acquire a master’s degree prior to completion of the program, but instead shall earn a bachelor’s or a master’s degree prior to completion of the program.