Reaching English Learners Act

Education
senate
house
president

Introduced on May 2, 2024 by Catherine Marie Cortez Masto

Cosponsors

Legislation Details

  • Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to introduce a grant program for institutions of higher education to improve teacher preparation for instructing English learners.
  • Grants are awarded competitively and can last up to 5 years.
  • Preference is given to partnerships that include teacher candidates from underrepresented populations or those who are former English learners.
  • Requires a non-Federal contribution of at least 50% of the cost of the activities, which can be provided in cash or in kind.
  • Funds must be used to develop or enhance teacher preparation programs that include evidence-based strategies for teaching English learners, including bilingual, immersion, and dual-language education.
  • Grant recipients must provide teacher candidates with skills to help English learners achieve academically, attain English proficiency, address specific learning needs of children with disabilities who are English learners, recognize and address social and emotional needs, and promote engagement of families and communities.
  • Includes provisions for high-quality preservice clinical experience for teacher candidates, including classroom learning and mentoring by certified teachers of English learners.
  • Applicants must submit a self-assessment of their teacher preparation program and personnel needs, intended uses of the grant, and an evaluation plan.
  • Recipients are required to evaluate the effectiveness of their programs at the end of the grant period and report on the impact on teacher preparation, the effectiveness of teachers in instructing English learners, and the percentage of teacher candidates meeting state certification requirements.
  • The Secretary of Education is tasked with compiling and publicizing the findings from these evaluations and identifying best practices for instructing English learners.
  • Grant funds are intended to supplement, not supplant, non-Federal funds for the activities supported by the grant.
  • Defines key terms used in the legislation, including “child with a disability,” “eligible institution of higher education,” “eligible partnership,” and “English learner.”

Last updated 8/17/2024