H.R. 3394 – Reading Mode

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3394

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

August 3, 2007

Mrs. Davis of California (for herself and Ms. Castor) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

A BILL

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to assist underperforming schools to recruit, support, and retain highly qualified and effective teachers by providing grants for participation in the Targeted High Need Initiative program of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Support Our Schools With Quality Teaching Act of 2007.

Grants to local educational agencies to provide targeted assistance to high-need schools to recruit, support, and retain highly qualified and effective teachers

(a)

In general

Part A of title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new subpart:

Targeted high need initiative

2161.

Grants targeting schools having highest need for highly qualified and effective teachers

(a)

In general

The Secretary shall make competitive grants to selected local educational agencies to recruit, support, and retain highly qualified and effective teachers through participation in the Targeted High Need Initiative Take One! program of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

(b)

Limitation on number of assisted agencies

Not more than 250 local educational agencies shall be selected by the Secretary to receive grants under this section.

(c)

Priorities

In making such grants, the Secretary shall give priority to local educational agencies—

(1)

having the highest number of students from a traditionally disadvantaged background, including students who receive free or reduced priced meals, students belonging to a minority subgroup, students with limited English proficiency, or migratory children;

(2)

having the highest number of schools identified for school improvement, corrective action, or restructuring under section 1116(b); and

(3)

having the lowest number of teachers who are certified by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.

(d)

Selection process

(1)

In general

To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a local educational agency shall submit an application to the State educational agency at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(2)

Review by state educational agency

Applications received by a State educational agency under paragraph (1) shall be submitted to the Secretary (at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require) together with recommendations by the State educational agency as to—

(A)

which local educational agencies have the highest need; and

(B)

which should be given preference based on criteria specified by the State educational agency.

Such criteria may include the distribution of such grants between urban and rural areas, the number of limited English proficient children, and the number of schools needing assistance.

(3)

Contents of application

The application under paragraph (1) shall describe the following:

(A)

The partnership that such agency will form with an institution of higher education or other appropriate entity to carry out the activities described in subsection (e).

(B)

How such agency will use funds received under this section to participate in the Take One! program of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

(C)

Identify the initial 25 classroom teachers, and at least 1 superintendent, principal, or vice principal, who have agreed to be mentors under such program.

(e)

Use of funds

A local educational agency that receives a grant under this section shall use the funds made available through the grant for the following:

(1)

Establish the partnership referred to subsection (d)(3)(A).

(2)

Support teachers through the Take One! program of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards through training, professional development, mentoring and technological resources.

(3)

Fully fund the assessment fee for all eligible teachers who apply to be certified by such Board and who agree to remain at the participating school for at least 3 years after completing the certification.

(4)

Provide a $1,000 award to each teacher who is certified by such Board after completing participation in such Take One! program.

(5)

Provide sponsoring schools with a $500 award for each teacher described in paragraph (4).

(6)

Conduct an independent evaluation of the impact of participation in such Take One! program on teaching quality and student learning and achievement. Such evaluation may include incorporating multiple sources of data over time to assess immediate and long-term impacts of such participation.

(f)

Duration of grant

The Secretary shall make grants under this section for period of 5 years.

(g)

Equitable distribution

To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure an equitable geographic distribution of grants under this section among the regions of the United States.

(b)

Funding

(1)

Section 2103 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6603) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(c)

Targeted high need initiative

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subpart 6 $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.

(2)

Subsection (a) of section 2103 of such Act is amended by striking subpart 5 and inserting subparts 5 and 6.