Teacher and School Leader Quality Partnership Grants Act

This proposal updates federal grants that help colleges and local school districts work together to train teachers, principals, and other school leaders. It adds paid, year-long residency programs that place new teachers and future principals in high-need schools to learn alongside expert mentors; in return, graduates agree to work in a high-need school for three years . It also supports teachers who stay in the classroom while taking on formal leadership roles, with training that can lead to a credential and ongoing support. The program expands to include principals and other school leaders, not just teachers.

Programs must use evidence-based methods and track results like new-teacher readiness, retention in the first five years, hiring in high-need subjects, and diversity of new hires. States must flag and help improve weak teacher and leader preparation programs, and can move to end funding if they don’t improve . The plan also updates training to better serve English learners and students with disabilities and strengthens literacy and technology skills in educator preparation and professional development. An advisory committee would study how to raise standards across the profession and report back with recommendations within one year (interim) and three years (final). Funding for these grants would continue through 2031.

• Who is affected: Future teachers and principals; current classroom teachers who want leadership roles; high-need schools and districts; colleges and universities; state education agencies.
• What changes: Year-long paid residencies in high-need schools with a three-year service commitment after; new teacher-leader training and support; stronger data and accountability for prep programs; updated supports for English learners and students with disabilities; a national study to recommend higher standards .
• When: Funding continues through 2031; study reports are due one and three years after the committee begins its work .