Establishment of the Office of Educator Workforce

Title II of the Department of Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3411 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 221. Office of Educator Workforce (a) Establishment There shall be in the Department an Office of Educator Workforce (referred to in this section as the Office). (b) Director appointment and duties (1) Appointment The Office shall be administered by a Director of Educator Workforce (referred to in this section as the Director), who shall be appointed by the Secretary. (2) Administration The Director shall— (A) administer such functions affecting educator recruitment, preparation, professional development, retention, and advancement in elementary and secondary education as the Secretary shall delegate; (B) serve as the principal adviser to the Secretary on matters affecting the educator workforce for elementary and secondary education; and (C) have the authority and expertise to provide national leadership, inform policy across the Department and the Federal Government, and elevate the importance of developing and supporting a thriving United States educator workforce for elementary and secondary education. (c) Office functions The functions of the Office are the following, with respect to elementary and secondary education: (1) Develop and coordinate national policy on educator recruitment, preparation, professional development, retention, and advancement. (2) Provide guidance and technical assistance to help States, local educational agencies, and educator preparation programs build their capacity to ensure a well-prepared and supported educator in every classroom. (3) Administer Federal educator workforce grant programs, including the programs authorized in titles II and III of the Quality Educator Partnership Act, to create a unified system of investment in the educator workforce. (4) Evaluate large-scale and cross-State initiatives and disseminate best practices on educator workforce programs such as Grow Your Own programs, teacher residencies, and apprenticeships registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.). (5) Serve as the Federal focal point for educator workforce collaboration among States, institutions of higher education, and local educational agencies..